Pashtun tribesmen of Kashmir War of 1948

On October 22, 1947, Pashtun tribesmen entered Kashmir from Pakistan, in response to the mass killing of Muslims in Jammu and in support of insurgents of Poonch, with logistical support from the Government of Pakistan. On October 24, the insurgents in Poonch formally declared independence as the state of Azad Kashmir.

The Muslims, who constituted 61 percent of the population of Jammu region, were reduced to a minority after the killings and displacement by Dogra army (and the forces from Patiala Punjab and RSS who were called in). Five days after the Jammu killings, Pashtun tribesmen invaded Kashmir. https://scroll.in/article/811468/the-killing-fields-of-jammu-when-it-was-muslims-who-were-eliminated

Orakzai tribesmen on their way to fight in Kashmir, 13th November, 1947. Photo by Frank Leeson.

Tribal irregulars from the North West Frontier bound for Kashmir, 1947. From an album, collated and annotated by Lt Frank Leeson, relates to his service during 1946-1947 with the North Waziristan Khassadars, a force of tribal police engaged in protecting communications and military outposts in the Tribal Territory.. [Source: National Army Museum, London]

A Brigadier of Pakistan army distributing arms to tribal fighters during the Kashmir conflict of 1948. Source

Late Senator Malik Gulab Khan Mahsud (Sub tribe Ishangi) was chief of Behlolzai tribe. He participated in Kashmir war of 1948 and received Hilal-i-Kashmir and Tamgha-i-Kashmir for his role in that war. Source

 In this report published in BBC, Hussain Gul, then a soldier of Paramilitary Kurram Militia, shares his experiences of that war :-

"Hussain Gul, a resident of Shalozan village in the Kurram tribal region who was then a soldier of the paramilitary Kurram Militia, was part of that force.

"We were there to attack and recapture [the 2,800-metre] Pandu ridge which the Indians had occupied during autumn," he says.

"It was a good victory. We were able to occupy a considerable part of Kashmir but we still lost most of it. It made one feel sad, like when you lose a part of your house," 

His father, who went in with a band of friends to fight during the previous season, "came back defeated".

"They brought back war booty though; gold and some women," he chuckles. 

In his mid-90s now, and with a fading memory, he is not sure what happened to the women. As for gold, "they were cheated out of it by Majoor", an ethnic Hazara businessman in Parachinar, the central town of Kurram.

The picture on Hussain Gul's Kurram militia's ID

Kazi Abdul Sarir (Abakhail) from South Waziristan (Makin) brought 28 fighters to 1947-48 war of Kashmir. He received the title of Sher-i-Kashmir from the Government of Pakistan and a certificate from the Government of Azad Kashmir acknowledging his services. The certificate says he and his men fought well in the battle at Naushera (Kashmir).

Sanad issued by government of Azad Kashmir to Khalifa Sultan Jan Niazi (Mirali Khel), son of Mullah Nazeem, of Dera Ismail Khan, acknowledging his services in the 1947-48 war of Kashmir. He brought 190 fighters to the war. Photos of his sons.

A sanad issued by the Government of Azad Kashmir acknowledging the services of Karimullah in 1947-48 War of Kashmir. He was the commander of a force, known as Jamat-i-Naajia, assembled by Haji Muhammad Amin of Umarzai, Charsadda district.

Risaldar Major Ghulam Rasul Niazi of 15th Lancers of British-Indian army participated in Kashmir war of 1948 and earned the title of Ghazi-i-Kashmir. ["History of the Pathans", Vol-III, p-383]

A reproduced copy of sanad issued by government of Azad Kashmir to Khalifa Sultan Jan Niazi, son of Mullah Nazeem, of Dera Ismail Khan, acknowledging his services in the 1947-48 war of Kashmir. He brought 190 fighters to the war. [published in "Tarikh i Niazi Qabial" by Iqbal Khan Niazi]

Armed Mohmand tribesmen waiting on road between Peshawar and Rawalpindi for their leader Bacha Gul [son of Haji Sahib of Turangzai] to arrive with trucks and extra ammo, to lead them into battle in Kashmir, December 1947. Photograph by Margaret Bourke-White.