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Action at Tsari

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Coordinates: 35°28′12″N 75°24′50″E / 35.4699°N 75.41393°E / 35.4699; 75.41393
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Action at Tsari
Part of Kashmir conflict and the Indo-Pakistani war of 1947–1948
Date11–12 February 1948[1]
Location
Tsari[a] near Skardu, Pakistan
35°28′12″N 75°24′50″E / 35.4699°N 75.41393°E / 35.4699; 75.41393
Result

Gilgit scouts victory[2]

  • Outposts at Tsari eliminated[3]
  • All State troops eliminated[4]
Belligerents
Pakistan Dominion of Pakistan

India Dominion of India

Commanders and leaders
Maj. Ehsan Ali
Liet. Babar
Capt. Khan Jarral		 Capt. Krishan †[5]
Capt. Nek Alam
(Later defected)
Units involved

Gilgit Scouts

  • Ibex Force
    • A wing
    • D Wing
  • Muslim Deserters

State forces

Strength
Intial strength:
~2 platoons,[6]
(250 men)
After defection:
~3 platoons		 Intial strength:
~2 platoons
After defection:
~1 platoon
Casualties and losses
Unknown All killed[1][7]

Action at Tsari,[1] also spelled as Saari,[8] took place during the Indo-Pakistani war of 1947–1948 in the Gilgit-Baltistan sector at Tsari on the banks of the river Indus near Skardu, in 11–12 February 1948, involving Gilgit Scouts and the Jammu and Kashmir forces. The Ibex force of the Gilgit Scouts led by Major Ehsan would plan an assault on the Tsari outposts on the River Indus, which were established by Colonel Sher Jung Thapa, as a defensive measure and to warn the Skardu Garrison in case of any assault. The Muslim troops stationed along the other force at the state forces outpost would defect to the Gilgit Scouts upon their arrival, including their commander, Captain Nek Alam.

The platoon under Captain Krishan Singh would exchange fire with the "D" wing of the Gilgit force after being spotted while carrying out the assault. Captain Krishan Singh would withdraw his troops to a safe cave nearby, which overlooked his old position. A Muslim troop among the Gilgit force would spread rumors, stating a large assault was to be launched by the state forces, causing the entire force to withdraw, except the soldier Bakhtawar Shah, who discovered the state forces' platoon in the cave and forced them to surrender.

Captain Krishan Singh and his platoon, after realizing that they were not surrounded by a large force, would attempt to escape which would result in a face-to-face combat in which all the state troops were killed, including Captain Krishan Singh. Since runners were the sole means of communication from Skardu to Tsari, none of the state troops returned to Skardu to inform of the attack and Colonel Thapa and his force would remain unaware of the arrival of Gilgit Scouts. The assistance from the Raja of Rondu and the details of the state troops given by the Muslim soldiers led to the capture of all of Rondu. The main goal of securing all of Skardu would be planned by the Gilgit Scouts, who would lead an assault on Skardu on 11 February, and the force from Tsari would join them on 12 February.

Background

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In the past, Skardu was composed of tehsils in which there were five subdivisions, and each of the subdivisions was governed by a local jagirdar known as Rajas.[9] The route through Gilgit-Bunji area to Rondu was of concern to state forces since it posed a threat compared to the other three directions, which were protected and were surrounded by mountains and ranges.[9]

During the First Kashmir war, Commander of the 6th Jammu and Kashmir infantry, Colonel Majid Khan, was also arrested in the coup staged by the Gilgit Scouts against the Gilgit Governor. Sher Jung Thapa would be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant colonel and would be ordered to move to Skardu from Leh on 21 November.[10] Colonel Thapa would then set off for Skardu on November 23 along his two Sikh platoons. On 2 December, they reached Skardu, which would make up a total of four platoons, including the two platoons under Captain Nek Alam at Skardu.[10] They would arrive before the Gilgit Scouts to prepare for holding off the scouts and obtaining relief columns and securing Skardu. The scouts would advance for Skardu in February–March only after dealing with an unrest caused by Shia.[11]

Rondu District on the map of modern-day Gilgit-Baltistan

The Muslim Captain Nek Alam would receive letters from Captain Hassan Khan, which were written for him and delivered by two men from the Astore region.[12] In the letter, Captain Hassan urged Captain Nek Alam to take arms against the state forces. Captain Nek reported this to local authorities.[12] In response, outposts would be established at Tsari Pass in the Rondu region by Colonel. Colonel Thapa warns the forces stationed at Skardu against an attack.[12] The Ibex column, led by Major Ehsan, gathered up at the village of Harmosh after they made progress from Bunji to Skardu.[13]

The Muslim troops belonging to the Jammu and Kashmir sector abandoned the state forces, which were kept for guides, among them, a Muslim soldier reached Istak by a swollen cow-skin and told Major Ehsan that the Muslims at the right bank were secure, while the left were being massacred by state forces.[14] Three hundred civilians were willingly gathered by the Raja of Rondu and were stationed at both sides of the Indus river banks at Wasola and Harkoya, which resulted in Rondu becoming free from the state troops, excluding Bagicha, Garbidas and Tongudas.[12] The people in Skardu refused to coordinate with the state administrator and awaited for the Gilgit Scouts arrival. Captain Hassan Khan fully assured the Raja of Rondu of relief forces.[12]

Action

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The Ibex force was based on two wings, the "A" wing composed of one hundred men led by Captain Muhammad Jarral and the "D" wing composed of one hundred fifty men led by Lieutenant Babar Khan. Major Ehsan would be in overall command of the troops.[1] After gathering at the location Harmush on 29 February, the "D" wing would come after the "A" wing, which would keep on progressing.[1] The Raja of Rondu would be kept in touch through the newly assigned political agent of Gilgit-Baltistan named Wazir Wilayat Ali.[1]

Events in Rondu 1948
Map describing the events in the Skardu/Rondu region in 1948

Captain Ganga Singh along the two sections were dispatched towards Rondu by Colonel Thapa after being informed of the arrival of the Ibex force, which reached Istak on 4th February.[1] The plan would be foiled by the Muslim portion of the force that was monitoring the situation; an exchange of fire convinced Captain Ganga Singh to retreat back to Skardu.[1] Captain Nek Alam would join along the Ibex force and would detail Major Ehsan regarding the state forces situation.[1] An assault on Tsari was to be launched by the scouts in the hours of darkness on 11–12 February, and a platoon dispatched to Qomera averted relief forces incoming from Skardu.[1]

Another platoon under the command of Captain Nek Alam was stationed at Katzarah to prevent any reinforcement from this side. Meanwhile, a platoon belonging to the "A" wing of the Ibex force would arrive at the other side of the river to block the retreat of the state troops.[1] The assault was brought about by an accident. Lieutenant Babar was to be informed of the order to halt at Garbidas, but the orders were not received by Lieutenant Babar.[15] The column was later spotted by the State forces when the "D" wing carried the assault at Tsari.[15] There was shelling from both sides involving the "D" wing and state troops. Major Ehsan himself would depart towards Skardu and left a segment of troops above Tsari village to prevent the state troops from retreating towards Skardu.[1]

Captain Krishan Singh would quietly with his troops sneak out of their position and relocate to a rocky den.[16] False reports among the Gilgit Scouts were spread by a Muslim troop loyal to the State forces, stating that a large-scale attack was to be launched by the state forces.[8] This caused unrest and persuaded the scout commander to fallback to a safe position except the soldier Bakhtawar Shah, who thought that it was a deceiving tactic by Krishan Singh to flee.[8] Bakhtawar Shah was not convinced of the rumor and then traced the state troops to their new position by following the foot prints of the state troops, which resulted in the surrender of the state under Krishan Singh after they were surrounded.[17]

Aftermath

[edit]

Captain Krishan Singh and his troops noticed that the scouts were less in numbers than what they expected.[18] Later on, they tried to escape, which led them to face-to-face combat. All of the state troops were killed, including Captain Krishan Singh.[18] The commander of the "A" wing awarded Bakhtawar Shah a merit certificate.[8] All of Rondu fell to the Gilgit Scouts, and the Muslim soldiers of the Skardu Garrison were gradually making attempts to free itself from the state administration.[1] The assistance received by the Ibex force led to the capture of all of Rondu at Tsari.[2]

Since runners were the sole means of communication from Skardu to Tsari, none of the state troops returned to Skardu to inform of the attack. Colonel Thapa and the state soldiers had their last contact on 9 February.[19] State forces were unaware of the situation at Tsari and also unaware of the arrival of the Gilgit Scouts[20] since the outposts had been established to warn them.[11]

After the assault at Tsari, the Ibex force advanced to assault Skardu.[2] The Ibex force would regroup at Qomera under Major Ehsan on 12 February and would be split into two forces.[2] A plan was laid by Major Ehsan in which the main column of the force would progress along the right side of the bank, while Captain Nek Alam and lieutenant Babar would form a foothold for the main column to cross the bank. Havildar Sher Muhammad was instructed to bring all the boats available at Skardu to an accessible location and was also instructed to gather all Muslims at Sondus before the launch of the assault.[2]

The force, which had departed from Srinagar on 13 January 1948, led by Captain Prabhat Singh, Lieutenant Ajit Singh and Bhagat Singh, had arrived at Skardu on 10 February.[21] The relief column had faced many hurdles due to the winter. The relief column returned back to Srinagar midway after being told by locals about the dangers of the journey.[18] The relief column would embark on the journey again after receiving instructions. They reached Skardu.[18] The Assault on Skardu was launched on 11 February.[22]

These disparate elements were stiffened and officered by the regulars from Pak Army It speaks volumes for the organizing ability and leadership of these Pak Army officers who wielded together such a heterogeneous group of highly temperamental people into an effective and efficient fighting outfit, making sure that their potential as guerrilla fighters adept at hit and run tactics was retained in its entirety and fully exploited.[23]

— M.N. Gulati, Military Plight Of Pakistan Vol I, p. 66

See also

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Sources

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Notes

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  1. ^ Tsari is situated 20 miles North west of Skardu.[1]

Citations

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Dani (1989), p. 379
  2. ^ a b c d e Dani (1989), p. 380
  3. ^ Prasad (1987), p. 286
  4. ^ Gulati (2000), p. 65
  5. ^ Singh (2010), p. 251Dani (1989), p. 379
  6. ^ Dani (1989), p. 378-379
  7. ^ Singh (2010), p. 251
  8. ^ a b c d Jaffri (2019), p. 29
  9. ^ a b Gulati (2000), pp. 63–64
  10. ^ a b Cheema (2014), pp. 85–86
  11. ^ a b Cheema (2014), p. 86
  12. ^ a b c d e Dani (1989), p. 378
  13. ^ Dani (1989), p. 379 : Gulati (2000), p. 65
  14. ^ Suharwardy (1983), pp. 153–154
  15. ^ a b Suharwardy (1983), p. 154 : Dani (1989), p. 379
  16. ^ Suharwardy (1983), p. 154
  17. ^ Jaffri (2019), p. 29 : Suharwardy (1983), pp. 154–155
  18. ^ a b c d Suharwardy (1983), p. 155
  19. ^ Prasad (1987), p. 285
  20. ^ Gulati (2000), p. 65 : Prasad (1987), p. 285
  21. ^ S. Bloeria (2021), Chapter 2: Overall situation
  22. ^ Gulati (2000), p. 66 : Prasad (1987), p. 286
  23. ^ Gulati (2000), p. 66

Works cited

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  • Dani, Ahmad Hasan (1989). History of Northern Areas of Pakistan. National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research. ISBN 9789694150161. Archived from the original on 4 August 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  • Cheema, Amar (2014). The Crimson Chinar the Kashmir Conflict : a Politico Military Perspective. United Service Institution of India. ISBN 9788170623014. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  • S. Bloeria, Dr. Sudhir (2021). Battlefield Zojila - 1948. VIJ Books (India) PVT Limited. ISBN 9789388161145. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  • Jaffri, Imran Haider (Summer 2019). "BAKHTAWAR SHAH – A LEGENDRY CHARACTER OF GILGIT-BALTISTAN LIBERATION WAR". Bugle and Trumpet. I. Army Institute of Military History, Pakistan. Archived from the original on 27 July 2024 – via aimh.gov.pk.
  • Palit, D. K. (1972). Jammu and Kashmir Arms: History of the J & K Rifles. Palit & Dutt. ASIN B0006C8HKM. Archived from the original on 20 January 2000.
  • Gulati, M. N. (2000). Military Plight of Pakistan: Indo-Pak War, 1947-48, Volume 1. Vol. 1. Manas Publications. ISBN 9788170491231. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017.
  • Saraf, Muhammad Yusuf (2015) [first published 1979 by Ferozsons], Kashmiris Fight for Freedom, Volume 2, Mirpur: National Institute Kashmir Studies, archived from the original on 30 July 2024, retrieved 4 August 2024{{citation}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  • Prasad, S.N (1987). History of Operations in Jammu & Kashmir, 1947-48. History Division, Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Archived from the original on 4 August 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  • Suharwardy, Abdul Haq (1983), Tragedy in Kashmir, Wajidalis
  • Singh, K.Brahma (1990). History of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, 1820-1956 The State Force Background (Hardcover). Lancer International. ISBN 9788170620914.
Preceded by
Meindi Ambush 		Battles of the Indo-Pakistani war of 1947
Action at Tsari 		Succeeded by
Siege of Skardu
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