Page 3 - ch 16

Indo-Pakistan War 1947-1948 Module - V

Major Wars Post
Activity 16.1 Independence

Look up the Internet and write down in your notebook, who are Mujahideen.

16.1.1 : Invasion of Kashmir Valley

The invasion of the valley was carried out from across the Pakistan border. The
Note
invasion was well planned and carried out in two phases. When first phase commenced
thousands of raiders came across the border and carried out several border raids
along the Pakistan - Kashmir border. This phase started on 20th October 1947.
These raiders mostly comprised of Hazara and Pashtun tribesmen from Pakistan's
North-West Frontier Province.

The invaders came into Kashmir in two lots. One from Muzaffarabad towards Srinagar
and the other came from Nowshera-Poonch area. They quickly captured towns and
villages and came upto Srinagar town. On 24th October the ruler, Maharaja Hari
Singh, sent an urgent message to Governor General of India, Lord Mountbatten, seeking
immediate India's help to stop the invaders. When Pakistan launched a large-scale
offensive, Kashmir accepted to merge with India by signing the Instrument of Accession
on 26th October 1947. Indian army was quickly deployed in Srinagar and Poonch
and defeated the invaders.
Pakistan invaded Kargil, Srinagar and Poonch in October 1947. All these areas
were of Muslim majority population

Map 16.2: The Invasion route

Intext Questions 16.1

1. Who was Maharaja Hari Singh ?

2. Who were the first invaders in Kashmir during 1947 ?
3. When was the Instrument of Accession signed between the Government of India
and Maharaja Hari Singh?

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