The First Kashmir War and the United Nations (1947 to 1949)
The fighting
- Indian troops (1 Sikh and others) landed at Srinagar on 27 October. At Badgam Major Somnath Sharma (4 Kumaon) died on 3 November 1947 holding off a large force. He received independent India's first Param Vir Chakra.
- In the Battle of Shalateng (7 November 1947) Indian troops broke the raiders. Baramulla and Uri were retaken.
- The Zoji La and Kargil areas were cleared in 1948. Poonch was relieved.
- Meanwhile Pakistan's army entered the war openly in 1948.
The Gilgit revolt (1 November 1947)
- The Gilgit Scouts under Major William Brown overthrew the Governor. See Baltistan and Gilgit.
The United Nations
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1 January 1948 | India took the issue to the UN Security Council under Article 35 (Chapter VI) of the Charter. |
| 21 April 1948 | Resolution 47: asked Pakistan to withdraw and India to reduce forces, then a plebiscite. |
| 1948 to 1949 | UN Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) resolutions, 13 August 1948 and 5 January 1949. |
| 1 January 1949 | Ceasefire. |
| 27 July 1949 | Karachi Agreement set the Ceasefire Line, monitored by UNMOGIP. |
Result
- India held the Valley, Jammu and Ladakh. Pakistan held Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. The Ceasefire Line became the Line of Control after 1972.
- On the Pakistani side, a "provisional Azad Kashmir government" was announced on 24 October 1947.
Keep practising
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Prepared for exam revision from standard sources, official publications and the Census. Figures and recent developments change, so check official sources before relying on them. Found a mistake? Tell us.