Draft:Siege of Mirpur

Siege of Mirpur
Part of the Indo-Pakistani war of 1947–1948 and Kashmir conflict
Mirpur Mirpur on a map
Location Mirpur, Jammu and Kashmir Result State forces abandon Mirpur Territorial changes Mirpur becomes part of the territory administered by Pakistan, known as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)
Belligerents
Pakistan	Jammu and Kashmir
Units involved
Azad Army Tribal militias Pakistani volunteers	Jammu and Kashmir State Forces Indian Air Force

The Siege of Mirpur was carried out was initiated by the Azad Kashmir Regular Force against the garrison of State of Jammu and Kashmir in the city of Mirpur in 1947 during the First Kashmir War, to fight for the accession of Mirpur city from Hindu rule.

Prelude

During the fall of Muzaffarabad the State troops Garrisons of Poonch Brigade stationed at Rawalakot, Poonch and Bagh faced attacks from the Azad army. Due to desertion by Muslim troops of the State forces the security condition deteriorated. The situation improved in Pooch after its link by air was established, Dadyal and Chechian post was abandoned with two platoons being stationed at Phala-da-Gala to keep an eye. The Vehicle which was ordered to bring aid was ambushed and the two platoons were withdrawn to Mirpur by sending a relief team.

The withdrawal of forward platoons from Phala-da-Gala severed communication with the Mangla Mai garrison and allowed the Azad force's to advance to the outskirts of Mirpur and with this development the town was easily accessible. The Azad forces recognized their advantage depended on capturing Mirpur before reinforcements from the Indian Army could arrive, the forces quickly mobilized their forces and launched a major assault on the town on 6 November. Meanwhile, the State forces anticipated imminent support from the Indian Army and held on to their position to prevent Mirpur from falling.

Battle

The outer posts at Mirpur area had been eliminated by Azad forces and the remaining Jammu and Kashmir state forces had besieged themselves in the town of Mirpur. A relief column from Nowshera was dispatched for the Jammu and Kashmir state forces by the Indian army but was ambushed and resulted in Heavy losses and could not advance further. Captain Muhammad Khan and Captain Afzal effectively eliminated the outposts and led a attack on the town but withdrew due to heavy shelling and constant strafing by Indian air force.

In meantime tribesmen and volunteers from Poonch city arrived to aid the Azad army and also brough captured ammunition and 3-inch mortars. The Mortars were used by Azad army troops to shell at night.

State forces abandon city

The Azad army troops had entered the town and in response emergency signs were raised to the flying Indian jets. It was decided by the seniors of Jammu and Kashmir state forces to abandon the city and evacuate the civilians to secure area, keeping in view the depleted ammunition. Many civilians took their lives as their rumors of the abandoning the town spread and 3000 civilians incapable of making the journey were left behind at Mirpur out of the 18000 civilians.

The column of civilians and Jammu and Kashmir state forces began to retreat towards the city of Jhanger. A small company was left behind to stall the Azad troops with addition of two jets of the Indian air force, which bombarded Azad army positions. The column on its way faced heavy fire from an Azad army positions and scattered, after regrouping the Muslim guides were forced to lead the column. The guides would deceive and escape from the state forces and again the column was met with heavy Azad army resistance.

The Indian air force constantly gave the retreating column support by one jet after another would bombard Azad army positions, meanwhile the Column progressed. A elder Muslim would be recruited to lead the column as a guide, who mistook them for a Azad army column but would still cooperate after recognizing them. The rear guard company would remain engaged all day with Azad army troops and suffered 15 casualties on 26 November and the Column reached the city of Jhanger by 28 November.

Sources

Works cited

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