Published:
January 10, 2025
Poonch, located south of Pir Panjal ranges in Jammu and Kashmir near the Line of Control, is renowned for its scenic beauty, surrounded by lush green valleys, rivers, and the rugged mountains. During the 1947-48 Indo-Pakistani War, Poonch became a key battleground when Pakistani-supported tribal forces surrounded the town in October 1947. The Indian forces, however, successfully defended the area through a prolonged siege, symbolising resilience and ultimately regained control, making Poonch a critical turning point in the Kashmir conflict.
1947-48
Poonch, then part of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, withstood a siege by Pakistani raiders from November 1947 until relieved by an Indian offensive, Operation Easy on 20 November 1948. The besieged garrison, commanded by Brig. Pritam Singh, was maintained by air supply. Prior to 1947, communications with Poonch were through the Punjabi town of Jhelum; towns in the East such as Rajauri, Naushera and Jammu being connected only by fair-weather tracks. The attackers infiltrated towards Poonch, as part of Operation "Gulmarg", as a springboard to capture the Jammu region which resulted in 40,000 refugees taking shelter in the besieged garrison. A decision to reinforce the garrison was made from the North and was done on 22 Nov 47 by a column from 161 Brigade under Lieutenant Colonel (later Brigadier) Pritam Singh who became the commander of Poonch garrison. In January 1948, another battalion was airlifted into Poonch to bolster the defences.
Poonch was isolated by the raiders soon after the reinforcement. Brig Pritam Singh organised the defences with regular troops, stiffening them with the State Forces and two ad hoc militia battalions, organised from the refugees. The defenders kept the besiegers at bay by vigorous patrolling and fierce small unit actions. An air strip suitable for Dakotas was also prepared.
On 12 December 1947, the first Dakotas of IAF landed on Poonch airstrip carrying with them a complete section of mountain artillery and establishing an air bridge of Dakotas. The air bridge flew in supplies and flew out refugees, despite interdiction by Pakistani artillery.
Operation Easy the operation to relieve Poonch from Rajauri was completed in November 1948, thereby ending the long siege.
1965
In 1965, during the Second Kashmir War, the Poonch region once again became a key battleground between India and Pakistan. The war was triggered by territorial disputes over Kashmir, with both countries claiming the region in its entirety. The conflict escalated after Pakistan launched Operation Gibraltar in August 1965, aiming to infiltrate forces into Indian-administered Kashmir to incite insurgency and provoke an Indian response.
As part of this operation, Pakistan's forces moved towards the Poonch region, seeking to cut off Indian supply lines and disrupt military communications. India, anticipating such a move, had already reinforced its positions in the area. Pakistan's forces attempted to capture Poonch, but they were met with stiff resistance from the Indian Army, which successfully defended the region.
Jammu → Rajouri (130 km) → Poonch (40 km)
