| Revolution for Independence in Gilgit |
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REVOLUTION FOR INDEPENDENCE AT GILGIT 1 NOVEMBER 1947 AN INDEPTH ANALYSIS BACKGROUND CORRECT PERSPECTIVE The breathtaking traumatic events of 1947,happening in a milieu of peculiar Machiavellian conspiracies of Gilgit game; culminated into a pure military revolt at Gilgit on November 1947;thereby giving birth to a revolutionary era, wherein the English and Dogra Yoke of slavery was dispensed with. A wholesome, coherent and realistic view of these events is necessary to gauge minutely, as to what has really happened, especially in wake of Labyrinthed portrayal of cascade of lies and tangled web of events. It assumes added importance, keeping in view the fact that almost all the luminaries of those incredible events have made written statements, which are available now especially in the archives of Historical Section of Army Education Directorate,GHQ and transferred material from England to the archives of Cabinet Division of Islamabad. There can be no denying the fact that this unique feat has been hijacked by those very elements, who worked against it, as evident from the award of Sitara-e-Pakistan to Maj Brown, a master British spy, who was then the treacherous commandant of Gilgit Scouts. In the absence of an authentic historic account; we are gullible to fall for Indian, official Pakistani and British versions hook, line and sinker. This sensational revolt initiating at Gilgit, triggered a long drawn war, at the peak of which in May 1948, two third i.e. 56,000 out of a total 84,000 square miles area of the State of Jammu and Kashmir was liberated. TURMOIL IN THE STATE ARMY The settings of this revolt can be traced back to the year 1935 of the"GREAT GAME ERA", when Maharaja Hari Sing withdrew his own administrative machinery and handed over Gilgit Agency to the British on a sixty year lease due to persistent British interest. This was followed by the outbreak of Second World War. Two Battalions of Jammu and Kashmir State Forces i.e. 2and 4 Jammu and Kashmir participated in this war in a big way. Captain Mirza Hassan Khan and Captain Mohammad Aslam of 4 Jammu and Kashmir, considered to be the crackest unit of State Forces, were promoted as Major together on 3 November 1943, beside bestowment of the coveted award of Military Cross. During this period Mirza Hassan Khan along with other Muslim officers met Quaid-e-Azam in Bombay and sought his guidance. Who prophetically advised that the interest, which has brought them to him, would guide them further . After Second World War, the Muslim elements of Jammu and Kashmir State Army reached back Satwari Cantonment, Jammu from overseas in January 1946;to find themselves in an atmosphere of changed attitudes, religious intolerance and turbulent times. The future of the state of Jammu and Kahmir in general and that of its Muslim population in particular was in doldrums, due to impending partition of the Sub- Continent. The motivated Muslim officers of the State Forces got together and hatched a secret Military Revolutionary Council, headed by Major Mirza Hassan Khan and it initially consisted of Major Afzal Shaheed, Major Mohammad Din, Major Rehmat Ullah, Major Sher, Major Ghazanfar Ali Shah, Major Feroz Din, Captain Mansha. Major Aslam (Shangrila fame) was cultivated with difficulties. Gradually with hard work some other Muslim officers were also included. The indoctrination was amazingly welcome by majority of the Muslim Junior Commissioned officers and other ranks. According to Colonel (late) Mansha Khan,the over clever type were not included. Though there were some reasonably senior serving Muslim officers, but they were not confided due to their slavish mentality. Brigadier Ghansara Singh Jamuwal, the last Dogra Governor of the Northern Kashmir province of Gilgit-Baltistan; very clearly mentions in his memoir "Gilgit-Before 1947" that it was in the knowledge of General Headquarters Sirinagar that Hassan had started work for Pakistan in Sirinagar. It is pertinent to note that a total of only three and a half of Muslim J&K Regiments of the State Forces were instrumental in determining the course of War of Liberation. The hard worked out strategy for toppling Dogra regime, in case of its accession with India got a jolt, when opportunist Major Aslam got himself quietly posted to undivided Indian Army at Ranchi to reap promotion benefits and thus left Jammu; his task and his native town unattended. Major Afzal Shaheed was in Nowshera and Mirza Hassan Khan was successful in getting himself posted to an independent Company of 6 Jammu and Kashmir at Sirinagar, Badami Bagh Cantonment in July 1947. As the secrecy of Military Council was leaking out, therefore they were eager for a prompt action but were hindered by the standstill agreement between Quaid-e-Azam and Maharaja Hari Singh. Major General D.K Palit.VrC in his book on official history of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles writes "There was a plot in the offing to subvert the Muslim elements of Jammu and Kashmir. In these troubled times some among the Muslim officers continued to tender loyal service, but there were many who had begun to plan acts of treachery and betrayal that were to deal a crippling blow to the defence of the State". Furthermore, Major then Lieutenant Colonel Rehmat Ullah Khan in his reports of 25 April 1948 and 3 June 1952,respectively on "Rajauri Operations" writes, "In 1947,out of the 15000 strength of State Forces, only about 1500 were Muslims, most of whom were in 2nd, 4th and 6th Kashmir Rifles, where they formed 50% of the strength. These units were stationed in Noashera, Muzafarabad and Gilgit respectively. Since 1940,the Dogra Ruler who was himself the C-in-C of the State Forces, had been following a policy of open discrimination against the Muslim officers, who were being superseded. Muslim troops were therefore disgruntled. All of them were, moreover, pro Pakistan and expected the State to from part of it. Some Muslim officers of the Dogra Army had long been in league with each other to rebel against Dogra Raj in the State, when the British withdrew. In 1947, these officers were scattered in the State, in Noashera, Muzzafarabad, Gilgit etc. thus when the Dogra started a planned massacre of the unarmed Muslim population of the Jammu province, and the Maharaja decided to accede to India, these troops rose in revolt and a widespread and spontaneous uprising took place in the Mirpur, Muzzafarabad and Gilgit areas." At this juncture, all important Mirs and Rajas of Gilgit – Baltistan were summoned to Srinagar and they vowed their allegiance to Maharaja Kashmir,beside earning allocation of jagirs in Srinagar valley. August was a month of mounting tension in the State and as a result of leaked out secrecy of the secret Military Council,Mirza Hassan Khan alongwith his D company was posted out forthwith to Bunji, in order to relieve a companyof 5 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles commanded by Captain Dugra Singh. It is to be observed that initially the intension was only to dispose off a troublesome field officer in a remote corner and the rest of 6 Jammu and Kashmir Battalion stationed at Nowshera was not to be rushed to Gilgit Baltistan; especially in wake of the troubled state of affairs of the state and fact that out of a total of nine Battalions of the state Army, almost one Battalion was already looking after the peaceful Northern regions. It is worth mentioning that at this stage there were hectic movements of the State troops to and fro. SCOPE An effort has been made to logically explain the planning and execution of the first phase of the War of Liberation for Gilgit- Baltistan i.e. the revolution at Gilgit by taking into account all available material. Luckily, written statements of all the leading characters of this highly sensational revolt, including those of treacherous conspirators and enemies are now available. It has been tried to establish the link between chain of events both during planning and execution of the revolt phase in a chronological manner. COMPARISION OF FORCES Consult the Appendix. CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS LEADING TO THE PLANNING AND REVOLT OF 1 NOVEMBER 1947 AND SUBSEQUENT FALL OF BUNJI GARRISON REAL ENGLISH DESIGNS FOR GILGIT-BALTISTAN The Last English Viceroy of Sub Continent, Lord Mountbatten was a supreme manipulator. On his orders, on 1 August 1947; a little before partition; the hard earned Gilgit Agency was handed over to the Dogra regime. At this critical time Quaid-e-Azam was having stand still agreement with Maharaja Hari Singh. Brigadier Ghansar Singh alongwith Chief of the General staff of the State army,General Scott and Captain Saeed Durrani arrived in Gilgit on 30 July 1947 and took over charge of Agency as Governor from Lieutenant Colonel Beacon, the English Political Agent. Captain Saeed Durrani was suppose to take over the Gilgit Scouts as the Commandant, but he was appointed as Second inCommand. On behalf of scouts, Major Brown presented their customary demands of pay rise proportional to that of State Forces. The services of the two British officers with the Scouts i.e. Major Brown and Captain Mathieson, were willingly sought for the Maharaja Kashmir's Army through the good offices of British Commander in Chief, British Military Intelligence and the British Governor of NWFP Lord Cunningham. Major Brown reached Gilgit just in time to ensure smooth transfer of power from British to Dogra regime. The services of these two British officers were retained in the State Army, on their own consent and thus in accordance with the rules/ regulations they were directly responsible to Governor Ghansar Singh. As per a debriefing report of Major Brown, he used to daily present the facts before Governor. During beginning August, there was infighting among various local Mirs/ Rajas; including Mehtar Chitral over the State of Yasin. It should be specifically noted that after the partition of Sub Continent, Lord Mountbatten was the Governor General of Bharat and Quaid-e-Azam was the Governor General of Pakistan; who refused to accept him as the common Governor. It was from this position that Mountbatten ordered entry of Indian Army into Kashmir. It is worth noticing that after his terrible defeat by Mirza Hassan Khan, Major Brown tries his level best to conceal his real terms of services with Maharaja Kashmir in his Pakistani ISI sponsored book "The Gilgit Rebellion". Major Brown's highly controversial book was procured and distributed among Pak Army libraries; ironically by ISI in May 1998, with the consent of Brigadier Javeed Aziz and General Aziz Khan. A STORMY MOVE AND BELLING OF THE CAT Major Hassan Khan's D company started movement from Srinagar for Bunji on 1 September 1947. While leaving Srinagar, the motivated company started raising Pro Pakistan slogans. Brigadier Ghansar Singh, Governor of Gilgit writes in his book, "Gilgit before 1947", "Leading Company of 6 Jammu and Kashmir started raising pro Pakistani slogans in Bandipura. People of Gurez and Astore reported this to me and asked to stop them . I promptly reported the issue to Major General Scott and Brigadier Rajinder Singh. In reply Scott intimated that State police has also confirmed the complaint of locals through a responsible officer. He further directed that necessary disciplinary action should be taken against culprits. They should be arrested and send to Srinagar under escort. The same was also reported in writing by Revenue Assistant Raja Noor Ali Khan from Astore. On arrival of Commanding Officer of 6 Jammu and Kashmir, Lt Colonel Abdul Majeed in Bunji, I briefed him about the situation and ordered for necessary action". While on the move,Mirza Hassan Khan received a message of Major General Scott to immediately report back, which was ignored. Now realizing the stance of the revolted company, force available to neutralize it and seriousness of the situation, 6 Jammu and Kashmir Regiment stationed at Noashera was immediately rushed to Srinagar and then directed towards Bunji. Mirza Hassan Khan comfortably reached Bunji on 10 September 1947 and peacefully relieved Captain Dugra Singh's eager to leave, 5 Jammu and Kashmir Company. Now, Hassan had no other option at this stage except rallying support of Gilgit Scout elements. The first to be indoctrinated through Muslim elements of Delta Company of 6 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles was Subedar Raja Jan Alam belonging to Nagar of Gilgit Scouts stationed at Chilas. Shortly afterwards, Captain Nek Alam arrived with another company of 6 Jammu and Kashmir. Hassan Khan assessing his Pro Gandhi ideas, got him transferred to Skardu through his connections. This fact can be confirmed through signed document of Major Nek Alam available in GHQ archives. The Second in Command of Gilgit Scouts, Captain Saeed Durrani mentions that Major Hassan Khan, while on a trout fishing trip in Kargah Nullah in the vicinity of Gilgit, took oath of allegiance on Quran from him. He further states that later on, the oath of the secret military council on Quran for toppling Dogra regime was also taken by Captain Muhammad Khan (quarter master), Lieutenant Ghulam Haider(adjutant) and Subedar Major Babar Khan of Gilgit Scouts. Babar Khan submitted a written oath of allegiance from responsible key personnel of Scouts to Captain Saeed Durrani. Captain Saeed Durrani was acting as Deputy of the Military Revolutionary Council, headed by Hassan Khan, whose orders were to be obeyed at all cost. Furthermore ,Subedar Major Babar Khan mentions in his memoirs that Hassan Khan took him and Saeed Durrani to Naikoi water channel tunnel in the Southern suburbs of Gilgit and took oath on Quran for the cause of toppling the Dogra regime. It is important to note that at this point of time, Maharaja Hari Singh had not declared the independence or accession status of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Captain Muhammad Khan Jaral and Major Ehsan Ali have also written in their reports that Hassan Khan took Babar Khan into confidence for the cause of Pakistan. Brigadier Ghansara Singh terms this situation as alarming in the wake of the continuing liaison between Muslim officers of Gilgit Scouts and Jammu and Kashmir Regiment at Bunji. Two Gilgiti brothers Zawar Muhammad Ali and Amir Jehandad Shah use to relay messages between 30 miles apart Gilgit and Bunji for the revolutionary council. Shortly afterwards 6 Jammu and Kashmir Battalion under their Commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Majeed arrived at Bunji. Hassan Khan immediately cultivated all the Muslim elements of the Regiment and very successfully knitted a close web around his Commanding Officer; thereby he use to remain abreast with what all was transpiring between his Commanding Officer and the Governor about his arrest. Noteworthy in this context is the head clerk of 6 J & K , Honorary Captain Ghulab Din. The first President of the interim Government of the Republic of Gilgit –Baltistan, Raja Shah Rais Khan, who was initially an employee of the Governor Secretariat writes that in his presence Lieutenant colonel Majeed complained against Hassan to Governor, who was of the opinion that he should be shot. In connection with the birthday celebrations of Maharaja Hari Singh, a political function/jalsa was organized at Gilgit with the intention of arresting Hassan. Commanding Officer 6 Jammu and Kashmir with a Sikh company and Major Hassan were ordered to attend. Hassan foiled the attempt by participating alongwith his fully armed Muslim Company. Governor mentions that through informers, he came to know that during this function Muslim officers of Bunji and Gilgit conspired. Major Brown has recorded that Governor and Commanding officer 6 Jammu and Kashmir got the order of sending Hassan under arrest to Sirinagar annulled, for fear of aggravation of an already serious volcanic situation. DAUNTLESS PLANNING AND OVERPOWERING INTRIGUES Major Hassan Khan, Military Cross was of the opinion that Major Brown's policies were in conformity with General Gracey's policies and his services were rendered by Maharaja Kashmir for the same purpose. This is mentioned in Hassan's autobiography, "Shamshir Se Zanjeer Tak".There were news in the air that India was about to station a Brigade in the region, which was assembling at the end of Sirinagar valley across Tragbal. The civil population in Gilgit, much before time was considering Hassan Khan as the ringleader of ongoing underground activities. It is mentioned in black and white in Major Brown's report as well as in his book that Major Brown and Captain Mathieson soon realized that an underground movement in the troops was at work, the members of and the actual power of which could not be ascertained. Furthermore, Brown use to daily present the facts before Governor. Captain Saeed writes that a little before revolt, he sensed that Brown has got an inkling of their secret activities and was instigating Governor against him. Resultantly, he was posted to Misgar/ Kalanderchi Fort near Chinese border. Major Brown was now upto scattering the suspected key personnel, Captain Muhammad Khan Jaral was posted from Gilgit Scouts to 6 J & K at Bunji, Subedar Raja Jan Alam Nagri based at Chilas in Gilgit Scouts was dismissed from service, Subedar Major Raja Babar Khan was mostly kept on patrolling, he was about to be discharged and use to bitterly crib against Brown with Hassan. This fact can be verified from Raja Babar Khan's written statement and Hassan Khan's book. On the other hand,uptill now Lieutenant Ghulam Haider and Naib Subedar Shah Khan were having a good opinion of Brown. Ghulam Haider's opinion changed but that of Shah Khan remained the same as he was passed on from British Intelligence to US/ PAK Intelligence. Lieutenant Haider mentions that code names were allotted to key personnel, fortunately some letters of those days with code names have been printed in certain books. On 28 October 1947, Maharaja Kashmir announced expected accession with India. Hassan Khan at Bunji came to knew of it early in the morning of 31 october 1947.He immediately established contact with Lieutenant Haider and Subedar Major Babar Khan of Scouts at Gilgit.It was mutually decided and agreed that on the night of 31 October, at midnight Hassan will attack Sikh/Dogra elements in Bunji, for which they will come for his help after arresting the Governor. At 1200 hours on 31 October, again Haider and Babar rang up Hassan with a perplexed mind and informed him that now there is no requirement of undertaking any action; as Brown has assured them that within two or three days, Governor will ensure declaration of accession of these areas with Pakistan by Maharaja Kashmir. This displayed the treacherous nature of Brown and his ability to cleverly win confidence of Hassan's colleagues. Hassan got infuriated on this and explained to them that after Maharaja's decision, Governor is left with no authority to do this and explained to them the dire consequences of an inaction. After some time they again rang up and promised to act in the evening; as they had realized the truth. This English conspiracy had Mir Hunza/Nagar/Punial connections also .It is interesting to note that the old man in the Governor house was listening to all what was being communicated .He at this moment used his last but well thought out trump card. He himself writes. "In wake of the protection request of Hindus, I had to choose between Gilgit Scouts and State Forces. Keeping in mind Punjab and Poonch disturbances, State Forces was more harmful to us .I avoided them till the last. I ordered Lieutenant Colonel Abdul Majeed to reach Gilgit with maximum possible force as soon as possible". Major General D.K Palit, Vr C in his book on official version of the "History of the J&k Rifles" depicts this juncture in these words. "Ghansara being dubious of the loyalty of the Muslim Company of 6 J & K at Bunji , opted to rely solely on the Scouts for the defence of Gilgit." The wickedness of Brown can be gauged from the fact that on 27 October; anticipating known accession decision or on 28th October; after knowing decision, gave orders to Scouts at Chilas, headed by Captain Mathieson to advance and surround Bunji by burning the two important Bridges of Ramghat and Partab; thereby completely isolating Bunji. This was done so that as advised by Major Brown, the Sikh Company to be asked by the Governor in Gilgit is capable of controlling area North of Indus and Hassan Khan, the defector is sorted out in Bunji.Beside, the troublesome Gilgit Scout elements based at Chilas are also routed by Sikhs through conveniently ambushing them. Subedar Taighoon Shah of Scout admits receiving instructions to snipe Hassan's position in Bunji on that very night; he was to attack Sikhs there. Hassan khan in his memoir mentions, "if going of Sikhs to Gilgit would have happened, many would have joined them and Scouts would have disintegrated". At about noontime on 31 October 1947, the head clerk of the Battalion, Captain (Honorary) Ghulab Din informed Hassan that Captain Baldev Singh's Sikh company is being dispatched to Gilgit. Hassan Khan duly alarmed went to the Commanding Officer fully armed and bluntly told him to send him alongwith his Muslim Company to Gilgit instead of Sikhs, otherwise he should be ready for a battle in Bunji, then and there. Lieutenant Colonel Majeed consented and Hassan Khan after briefing the remaining Muslim elements about the strategy for coming days left Gilgit alongwith his outfit, a little before dusk time. Now indeed the fate of Gilgit-Baltistan hung by a slender thread. FROM THE SLAVE DUSK OF 31 OCTOBER TO THE FREEDOM DAWN OF 1 NOVEMBER 1947 Lieutenant Haider; after consulting his diary of those turbulent moments, writes of the events of night 31 Oct-1 Nov 1947, in these words -"30 men with Subedar Major to Governor's place to arrest him-post and telegraph offices taken over by me. I went to Governor house and burst fire Medium Machine Gun (Brigadier Ghansara recapitulates those moments in these words Yes it was Lieutenant Haider; Son of Lieutenant Colonel Sher Ali (retd) of 6 J&K Infantry, earning pension from state, who was firing on me)-30 Men and Medium machine Gun to Bhup Singh Pari to block route from Bunji Governor is holding out and night passes like that, during night message that Hassan Khan has reached Pari, a relief- Dawn of 1 November and the Governor has not surrendered ,Hassan arrives Gilgit- Hassan and myself moved down-Green light goes up at Governor's residence as arranged to signal his surrender". Naib Subedar Shah Khan (Group Captain Latter) also confirms that Lieutenant Haider was sent to Agency (Governor) House to arrest Brigadier Ghansar. Babar Khan has also claimed in writing that he arrested Major Brown before moving up to arrest Ghansar and that he was having two Junior Commissioned Officers with him i.e. Suberdar Shah Sultan and Subedar Safiullah for this purpose. On the other hand the Muslim Company of J & k Commanded by Hassan Khan on its way to Gilgit, came across Zawar Muhammad Ali, the messenger at Pari Bangla, who apprised them of the latest situation in Gilgit. He was given a message for Lieutenant Haider by the Company commander Major Hassan Khan to send a fake message from Governor to Bunji for Lieutenant Colonel Majeed and Major Ehsan to immediately come to Gilgit for an emergent meeting. The prime motive was that these two Muslim officers should not be influential on the leftover Muslim elements of J & K Regiment in Bunji during Hassan's absence .He was further instructed that after passing this message, no other information whatsoever should be allowed to be passed to Bunji. Hassan Khan came across Subedar Safiullah Beg's persons at the start of the village Munawar after exchange of pro Pakistan slogans. His company alongwith Safiullah's outfit was deployed there, so that if Sikhs come from Bunji side, they are halted there. A capable Military Commander always takes into account various ifs and buts. Subedar Safiullah was also briefed to arrest Lieutenant Colonel Majeed and Major Ehsan on their way to Gilgit for supposedly emergent meeting with Governor. Thereafter, Hassan Khan alongwith his Burma war companion orderly Farman Ali (still alive), galloped towards Gilgit. From now onwards the events have been misconstrued and highly misrepresented for innumerable motives. Therefore, there is a need of grasping numerous versions simultaneously in a gradual manner. Besides; it is equally important to gauge the motive of Governor Ghansar for holding out throughout the night alongwith only two non Muslim orderlies, despite very heavy odds. In this skirmish Scouts had two casualties. Hassan arrived Gilgit just at dawn time and went straight to Scout lines, where he came across some Junior Commissioned Officers including Shah Sultan, Sultan Feroz, Shah Khan, Fida Ali but was not able to trace Haider and Babar. On inquiry, he was told that they were holding meetings with Brown up in the Officer's Mess. Over there, he found them demoralized and after narrating the events of the night, they proposed to burn the Governor's Bungalow as Governor Ghansar had not laid down arms by that time. At this juncture let us analyze the different versions. Governor writes that "Next morning tehsildar Pandit Mani Ram alongwith a police Inspector came and said that officer's asking to lay down arms within fifteen minutes. I called Revenue Assistant Astore, Raja Noor Ali Khan and Tehsildar Sehdev Singh. After discussing the situation with them and getting information about the arrival of Colonel Abdul Majeed, of whom I was anxiously waiting to turn the tide and instead of knowing that Captain Hassan Khan arrived, after deploying his company in Pari, at 0900 hours, I decided to agree to their conditions".Subedar Major Babar Khan mentions that" Governor came out in the morning- I had send Naib Tehsildar Mani Ram to Governor I took him to Scout lines." Subedar Shah Sultan highlights events by saying "Governor was not arrested till morning. Nobody was able to arrest the Governor. Major Hassan Khan selected me. I physically arrested the Governor by taking cover of Naib Tehsildar Mani Ram". Hassan Khan further mentions that at 0900 hours, I called Raja Noor Ali and Governor's PA Sehdev Singh. Through them I sent a written message to Governor assuring him of security and honour of his life. He was conveyed that instead of Sikhs, I have arrived. Immediately white buntings were raised from both sides. Subedar Shah Sultan arrested the Governor". Now the following should be crystal clear. Governor was resisting in wait for the Sikhs troops to arrive. Lt Haider/Babar send a message through Mani Ram but to no avail, Ghansara gave up once he came to knew through Raja Noor Ali and Schdev Singh that instead of Sikhs, Hassan has arrived. Shah Sultan physically arrested him inside the Bunglow and Babar Khan escorted him to Scout lines. The picture becomes clear, wholesome and without any contradictions, once the various statements are taken together in their entirety. After this happening, people started gathering in Shahi Polo ground. Hassan Khan addressed them and after announcement of the IndependentIslamic Republic of Gilgit Baltistan, he assured the non-Muslims present there of security of their honours and lives. Members of an interim Government were set up in a meeting held in Scout Lines and Hassan Khan was declared leader of the Revolutionary Council and Commander in Chief of the Army. A Raja of Gilgit, Shah Rais Khan was appointed as president and Haider took over as the Civil Administrator. In this meeting a signal message by Hassan Khan was dictated to Lieutenant Haider for asking a Pakistan representative to help them in administration. This is verified in a secret report of 4 Mar 1949, send by Government of Pakistan, Secretariat of the Minister without portfolio to Lieutenant Colonel Iskander Mirza, Defense Secretary, Govt of Pakistan, Karachi; stating in para 9 "About the beginning of October 1947, there was some local disturbances due to a clash between the Muslim and Sikh elements in the Kashmir State Forces. The tension accentuated by the sudden announcement of the accession of Kashmir to the Indian Union. There was an almost bloodless revolution and early in November a local Provisional Government was set up, which invited the Pakistan Government to take it over". This evilish intention of the Government of Pakistan to take it over just like that is the mother of all evils uptill now. The English officers Major Brown on behest of Hassan's colleagues also attended the said meeting in the Scout lines and were appointed as his military advisors. On the appointment of the President of the newly formed Republic, a row erupted between Hassan, who pointed a pistol at the English officer. This English officer was arrested on order of Mirza Hassan Khan just after the meeting as admitted by Brown in his book. Lieutenant Haider's diary of that period states "Brown arrested by Hassan on 1 November, but released on my insistence. He remained ineffective till Muslim Officers ruled Gilgit, but started showing his colors once Pakistani Political Agent Sardar Alam came into the arena. He was a cunning person, who was able to convince the new administration about his vital role in the liberation of Gilgit, impress the local rulers of his importance and ensured ouster of Muslim officers". His diary further states, "Major Brown was a dirty fish my mistakes at the start of revolt I had good opinion about him. He had given false impression in Pakistan. Cunning Brown thinks of me to be an obstruction in his way. I told Khan Qayyum, Chief Minister of NWFP about him". It is an eye opener to know what Major Brown has given out in his debriefing report to an English C-in-C of Pakistan Army, endeavoring to tarnish the image of Hassan Khan. "The movement was headed by Hassan Khan to form an independent state and to kill all non Muslims. To oppose the wishes of this party on 1 November would have been suicidal, Major Brown therefore accepted the situation and helped to maintain Law and order and advised all to avoid any resort to violence. Major Brown pointed out the futility of attempting to form an independent state and that affiliation to Pakistan was the only way to ensure safety and security". In actual fact the smoke screen for accrediting English Officers for toppling Dogra regime and their role in the creation of Pakistan serves the purpose of Indians as well as English. The first Pakistani Political Agent Sardar Alam sums up those events in these words communicated to a joint secretary. "In my official capacity Hassan was the moving spirit in a plot to overthrow Dogra rule. He defeated and captured all the Sikh and Dogra troops. He assisted by two other officers of Scouts put the Governor under arrest and took over the administration of the Agency. He was practically head of the administration till Pakistan took over. The Pakistan Government was invited by them to take over". Another surprise in this unbelievable adventure is added by Major Aslam Khan of Jammu and Kashmir (later Brigadier Aslam of Shangrilla fame) who betrayed Muslim Officer's cause of liberating whole of Kashmir by abandoning Jammu. He writes in his handing over notes to Major General Jillani; on packing off as Military Representative / Commander of Pakistan Army in Gilgit Baltistan, after suffering severe reverses. "Hassan hatched plans with Scouts for taking over control of this area from the Dogras and got himself recognized as Military dictator of Gilgit. He set up a cabinet of local riff raffs. The cabinet found it difficult to work smoothly and Pakistan Government was requested to send their representative. Fortunately Gilgit treasury was still found infact. The cabinet was dissolved, Major Brown and Captain Mathieson, who had been arrested released, against arrested by cabinet were put in charge of the Scouts and Captain Hassan Khan who by this time had assumed the rank of Major General was sent to command the Bunji Astore area; with the rank of Mountain Marshal". He has written like this in conformity with the wishes of his English bosses of Pakistan Army. He was instrumental in taking Hassan Khan off from the Command of Tiger force when he was in the vicinity of Bandipura and Wular lake of Srinagar valley, to a worthless ISSB Kohat test for induction into Pakistan Army. At a later critical stage as Personal Secretary to General Tariq, C-in-C of Azad Forces, he shamelessly writes to Colonel Jillani as a consequence of reverses "Hassan has finished his interview with the selection board and although for reasons that you and the PA know, I did not consider his presence desirable in the Scouts at that time, in the present emergency, he may be useful, as desired, he is being sent to report you". His successor Colonel/ Brigadier Jillani of Indian National Army has also made interesting observations about the events of 1 November 1947. "The local Mirs, Rajas considered the whole thing foolish, local nonentity proclaimed the head of Independent Gilgit Republic, with real power in the hands of the Military. One of the Marshals put some people under arrest including some Military Officers who were senior to him and threatened Mirs etc with dire consequences unless they submitted to the new Government". On 2 November, Colonel Majeed and Major Ehsan started for Gilgit as per the fake message and by noon were arrested at Bhup Singh Pari. Ehsan writes "Hassan become a self styled General, as he was junior to Commanding Officer and myself, ordered our arrest saying that we were from Dogras". ASSAULT ACROSS RIVER INDUS AND FALL OF BUNJI GARRISON The success at Gilgit for the longevity of the Revolution was meaningless, unless the Sikh/Dogra power concentrated at Bunji was neutralized. Hassan Khan being the only war veteran Officer had no time at his disposal to deal with the conspiracies at Gilgit .In Bunji, it was important to achieve success in the first attempt, otherwise the enemy over there was capable of holding out and could have established line of communication with Srinagar and Baltistan for obtaining reinforcements. Hassan advanced towards Bunji on 2 November 1947,with five Platoons of Gilgit Scouts and Rifle Company of Jammu and Kashmir at 1700 hours. The attack across Indus on rafts was conducted on 4 November, when the Sikhs and Muslim elements in Bunji were about to clash. Hassan khan was in the leading raft and with his arrival on far bank, the Sikh/Dogras fled. It was a unique spectacular act. Hassan sarcastically writes that in the evening of the same day his colleagues of Gilgit alongwith Brown came to congratulate him. EPILOGUE Before the seizure of initiative of these selfless, dedicated and true Muslim leaders or in other words before the arrival of Major Aslam /Colonel Pasha (assumed name) as Pakistan Army representative, all the fleeing Sikhs/Dogras had been captured, huge merchandise for winters on sizeable animal caravan was seized in Tragbal Gurez Valley and entry into Baltistan was made. Major General Palit mentions "Captain Nek Alam of C Company had intercepted and forwarded to Army Headquarters, Srinagar, two letters from Captain Hassan Khan ;a defector, it will be remembered, in Gilgit, urging the Muslim troops at Skardu to take and hold the Garrison until the arrival of support from Gilgit". The subsequent events were unique and involved astounding human qualities at work against each other on the internal as well as external fronts. The long drawn fourteen months war of liberation for Kashmir ended with many frustrations for die heart Kashmir fan Muslim Officers of Pakistan Army. They believed that each day of cease-fire in Kashmir as per British designs helped consolidate the Indian position, while undermining that of Pakistan. Such likeminded Officers including Hassan were nabbed together in a so-called Rawalpindi conspiracy Case and their record in Kashmir war was tampered with. The linchpin of the entire tragedy is the fact that Pakistan retained British Generals in the highest Command of its Armed Forces during the first and most vulnerable three years of its inception. The Rawalpindi Conspiracy case epitomized this conflict of interest. It was not until General Gracy and the rest of British high Command was to depart from South Asia that Ayub, Sikander and Liaquat were briefed by Gracy regarding "Men in the army who held recalcitrant views".
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