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| Maharaja Hari Singh anticipated danger to Airfield | | Oct 16, 1947 | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
Jammu, Oct 15: It all started on October 12, 1947. The government of Pakistan sent a telegram to the Prime Minister of Jammu Kashmir, Meher Chand Mahajan asking him about reasons of `unrest in Poonch villages'.
The wire pointed out that as "Pakistan army obtains large number of recruits from Poonch" situation is "fraught with danger" to "friendly relations" that Pakistan wishes to retain with Kashmir".
Mahajan, in his reply of October 15 complained of infiltration from Pakistan and stated that his government was "prepared to have impartial inquiry into the whole affair to remove misunderstandings and restore cordial relations."
Mahajan followed his message with telegram to Muhammad Ali Jinnah on October 18 stating that if Pakistan's "extremely unfriendly acts" are not stopped, Maharaja's government "will be justified in asking for friendly assistance".
The then External Affiars minister of Pakistan responded by warning "gravest consequences" if measures to "suppress people of Jammu Kashmir" were not stopped immediately. The minister, however, appreciated suggestion of an impartial inquiry and asked Mahajan "immediately to nominate your representative on the Enquiry Committee" whereupon "Pakistan government will nominate its representatives without delay so that the Committee can proceed at once with a thorough inquiry into the whole matter."
While all this activity was going on, Maharaja managed to get a battalion of Patiala State Forces by October 17. It took positions around Srinagar airfield and reinforced Maharaja's garrison in Jammu.
The Batallion was sighted by Lt General LP Sen a few days after the Indian troops landed in Srinagar on October 27 in Budgam district. Sen was delighted to sight the soldiers and took them under his control immediately. (Slender was the thread by Lt General LP Sen)
Surprisingly Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah had an exclusive meeting with the Maharaja on October 16, a day before when the troops entered Kashmir! |
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