Since Independence and Partition in 1947, both India and Pakistan have been squabbling over the fruits of partition. Though Kashmir ceded to India with the Maharaja Hari Singh and the Wazir -e-Azam, Sheik Mohamed Abdulah both electing to join the Indian Union of States, Pakistan did not accept this solution, though it was fully legal and acceptable to the International Community and the United Nations. The Pakistanis sent in the Qabailies (Tribesmen/Raiders) along with the Pakistani Army to over run Kashmir and Annexe it.
Immediately after Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India, on the request of both the Maharaja and the Prime Minister of Kashmir the Indian Army units were flown into Srinagar Airfield to save the valley from the marauders. The first to land up was the 1st Sikh Battalion followed by 4 Kumaon, the Regiment to which I belong. These brave units succeeded in stopping these Raiders from making any further progress. At the Battle of Badgam on the outskirts of Srinagar airfield, Major Somnath Sharma of 4 Kumaon fought with his Company and was awarded the first Paramvir Chakra of Independent India posthumously.
As other troops arrived, the Pakistani Raiders were pushed back beyond the famous Zojila Pass. Though the enemy was on the run, the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru halted the brave units of the Indian Army from advancing further and stopped them in their tracks. He appealed to the United Nations for justice. But the world did not respond to our call, but just looked on unconcernedly. The dispute could and should have been settled and ended there and then itself and prevented subsequent wars and unnecessary blood shed on both sides. A repeat in 1965 and 1971 further worsened the relations between the two countries. The Kargil war of 1998/99 was another wasted golden opportunity for us when we should have settled matters by retaking the whole of Kashmir. When will we ever learn from our past mistakes? Our politicians haven’t learned anything from past blunders and keep repeating them. We hope that the last time, was the very last?
During the recent floods in the valley when there was considerable loss of property and human and animal life, the The Indian Armed Forces played a major role in the rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts at great risk to their own lives and equipment, yet some Kashmiris were reported to have stoned rescue and relief helicopters and boats which were carrying medicines, blankets and clothing, food and doctors to provide relief. This is the gratitude and reward that we received from some Kashmiris in return.
