Operation that saved Kashmir

When bugles sound at war memorials across the country on the morning of October 27 to pay tributes to the humble foot soldier, it would be an apt moment to recall Independent India’s first military operation 77 years ago against Pakistan in Kashmir.

Commemorated as Infantry Day every year, it was on this day in 1947 that the first Indian troops landed at Srinagar to save the Valley from Pakistani raiders who had unleashed terror in their attempt to grab Kashmir.

Soon after Independence, Pakistan launched Operation Gulmarg, sending in thousands of armed raiders, called ‘lashkars’, into Kashmir to capture it and pre-empt the possibility of its ruler joining India.

On October 22, 1947, Pakistan’s Pashtun tribal militias along with irregular Pakistani forces crossed the border of the state and moved towards the capital city of Srinagar, but upon reaching Baramulla, they took to plunder and stalled their advance. Maharaja Hari Singh, the ruler of J&K sought assistance from India. India agreed to send its troops, subject to the Maharaja signing the Instrument of Accession, which he did on October 26.

Orders to send a battalion to Srinagar were received by the Delhi and East Punjab Command, now Western Command, in the afternoon of October 26, the First Battalion of Sikh Regiment (1 Sikh), now the Fourth Battalion of the Mechanised Regiment, was given the mission. The only other battalion then in Delhi was 1 Madras, but since it was commanded by a British officer, it was decided against sending it.

Under the command of Lt Col Dewan Ranjit Rai, the battalion was deployed on internal security duties in Gurgaon. The battalion headquarters and two companies assembled at the Palam airport in Delhi. Ammunition, clothing and rations were issued to the troops at the airfield, and at first light, they were airborne. At the control column in the cockpit was ‘Baba’ Mehar Singh, a legendary figure in the IAF.

Over the next five days, Air Commodore Mehar Singh, Air Officer Commanding Operational Group, continuously inducted troops into Srinagar. Over 30 sorties by Dakota aircraft were conducted between Palam and Srinagar. More than 100 civilian aircraft were also mobilised to fly troops, equipment and supplies to Srinagar.

On first landing on the dirt track at Srinagar, the troops went into action to secure the airfield. Lt Col Rai had to take a quick decision — to engage the raiders which outnumbered his troops, or wait till sufficient reinforcements arrived. He sent one company to Baramulla to engage the enemy while the other company carried out a flag march in Srinagar. Later, Rai moved ahead to join his troops near Baramulla.

At about 11.30 am, a large number of enemy troops supported by machine gun and mortars attacked the Indian troops. Bitter fighting ensued and the attack was repulsed. The enemy started an outflanking move and cut off the troops from the rear.

Rai decided to fall back to Pattan, about midway between Baramulla and Srinagar, and ordered his unit to withdraw to the new position. While seeing the last of the rearguard, a stray bullet hit him.

He was posthumously decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra, the second highest award for gallantry. Lt Col Rai had succeeded in halting the enemy’s advance towards Srinagar. Meanwhile, 161 Brigade, under the command of Brigadier LP Sen, arrived in Srinagar and took over the command of all Indian and state forces in Srinagar.