Arun Chaudhary
August 15, 1947, will forever remain immortal in the history of India – the day when the sacrifices, struggles, and martyrdom of countless brave souls brought independence to our nation.
But only a few days after independence, Pakistan’s army, along with tribal raiders, surrounded Jammu and Kashmir from all sides. On October 22, 1947, they launched a brutal attack that shook humanity itself. Thousands of innocent people were massacred, and countless families were forced to abandon their homes, becoming refugees overnight. In later years – 1965 and 1971 – Pakistan continued its nefarious acts, especially in the Chamb region.
Operation Gulmarg and the Tragedy of PoJK
The attack of October 22 was part of Pakistan’s conspiracy called “Operation Gulmarg,” whose objective was to seize Jammu and Kashmir. During this invasion, thousands of square kilometers of land were captured – territory that today is known as Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
This includes areas like Mirpur, Bhimber, Kotli, Bagh, Pulandri, Sudhnoti, Muzaffarabad, Gilgit, Baltistan, Dev-Battala, and Poonch. This land, once the heritage of our ancestors, was snatched from us through cruelty and betrayal.
In this attack, thousands of Hindus and Sikhs were killed. Many families were burned alive in their homes, mothers and sisters were subjected to inhuman atrocities, and countless people were abducted and taken to Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Arab countries. Lakhs of families were displaced from their birthplace – scattered and broken, still waiting for reunion and justice.
Let us bow our heads in tribute to those martyrs who sacrificed their lives in 1947 to protect our very existence. This soil has been sanctified by their blood.
The Horror of Muzaffarabad
The first assault on Muzaffarabad occurred on October 22, 1947. Pakistan-backed tribesmen and soldiers unleashed terror upon the Hindu-Sikh population. People were given two choices – conversion or death. Those who refused to submit were mercilessly killed. Numerous women were abducted and never returned.
For three days, the youth of Muzaffarabad bravely resisted the invaders. Nearly 2,000 Hindus and Sikhs were killed. After this, the attackers advanced toward Srinagar. In this moment of crisis, Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession with India on October 26, 1947, following which the Indian Army landed in Srinagar on October 27 and halted the bloodshed.
The Heart-Wrenching Massacre of Mirpur
In November 1947, the city of Mirpur witnessed one of the most horrifying scenes in human history. The Pakistani army surrounded the city and launched a brutal assault on Hindus. The Gurdwara Damdama Sahib and Sanatan Dharam Temple of Mirpur became silent witnesses to this tragedy.
Over 100 young girls staying in the Arya Samaj Hostel sacrificed their lives by jumping into a well to protect their honor. Many people hid in cellars, but even some local servants betrayed their employers and helped the attackers. Around 10,000 men were killed, and 5,000 women were abducted, their dignity violated before they were murdered – their bodies thrown into the Jhelum River.
Thousands were imprisoned inside the Kirtangarh Gurdwara, which had been turned into a detention camp, where hundreds were executed daily by the riverbank. After the intervention of the International Red Cross, only 6,500 out of 15,000 captives were rescued and brought safely to Jammu.
The Blood-Soaked History of Rajouri
Rajouri endured one of the most terrifying chapters in Indian history. Between November 1947 and April 1948, thousands of Hindus and Sikhs were massacred. To protect their dignity, many mothers and sisters took their own lives – jumping into wells or consuming poison.
On November 11, 1947, while the rest of India celebrated the first Diwali after independence, over 3,000 people were slaughtered in the streets of Rajouri. Eventually, on April 13, 1948, the Indian Army liberated Rajouri. Even today, locals have not forgotten those horrifying memories.
The Tragedy of Poonch
In October 1947, chaos spread through the Bagh Tehsil of Poonch. Pulandri, Bagh, Sudhnoti, and Rawalakot fell into Pakistani hands. Between November and December 1947, thousands of innocents were killed. The Indian Air Force carried out rescue operations, airlifting many people safely to Jammu.
The Suffering of the Displaced and the Wait for Justice
The people displaced from PoJK have lived for over seven decades deprived of their rightful status in their own country. Successive governments ignored their pain and suffering. The current government has begun taking steps to restore their rights – an important move toward justice.
The 1994 Parliamentary Resolution
On February 22, 1994, the Indian Parliament unanimously passed a resolution* declaring that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and that the territory under Pakistani occupation is illegally occupied. Parliament demanded that Pakistan vacate the area immediately and affirmed that India’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity were non-negotiable.
Tribute and Remembrance Week – 78th Anniversary
October 22, 2025, marks 78 years since the tragedy. From October 21 to 27, “Tribute and Remembrance Week” is observed in honor of the martyrs of 1947 and the Indian soldiers who defended the nation. During this period, torch rallies, memorial ceremonies, lighting of lamps in martyrs’ names, seminars on PoJK, and “Accession Day” events may be organized.
Let us unite to bow before the sacred land of our ancestors and pledge to reclaim our lost homeland.
The Pain of History and the Promise of the Future
The partition and massacre of 1947 remain the most painful chapters of our history. Millions of families were uprooted, countless lives destroyed. We must never forget this tragedy – remembrance keeps us aware and strong.
“Tribute and Remembrance Week” is not only an occasion to recall the past but also a symbol of our commitment to justice, reconciliation, and restoration. Time may pass, but the pain of these wounds does not fade.
Together, we must build a future where the wounds of the past are healed with dignity and humanity remains supreme.
(The Author is the General Secretary of the PoJK Displaced Service Committee, Jammu and Kashmir. This article is based on the accounts shared by his late mother, Krishna Devi (wife of Late Sitaram Chaudhary, Kotli District, Mirpur), who was an eyewitness to the 1947 massacre)