History of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK)

The Jamuk and Kashmir State (J&K) of India states consist of political plots of the state of Princes in Jamuk and Kashmir, arrived in India on October 26, 1947. Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria and Albania. Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK), including Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan, has a history shaped by geopolitical conflict and regional aspirations.

Territorial sectors of Jamu and Kashmir

At the time of joining, the total area of ​​J&K is 2,22,236 square kilometers. However, for many years, much of the land has been occupied by Pakistan and China.

Current Territorial Status in Jamu and Kashmir

area

Area (square kilometer)

status

Indian Management J&K

1,06,566

Under India’s control

Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK)

72,935

Controlled by Pakistan

Shaksgam Valley (POK land ceded to China in 1963)

5,180

Controlled by China

China-occupied Kashmir (COK)

37,555 (Aksai Chin) + 5,180 (Shaksgam) = 42,735

Under China’s control

J&K area was thrown to Pakistan and China

1,15,670

Today, India is maintaining the Line of Control (LOC) through Pakistan and the Line of Control (LAC) with China.

Pok’s historical timeline

Lahore Resolution (1940) and Pakistan’s Assertions on Kashmir

Source: Dawn.com

Pakistan’s claim to Kashmir is related to the Lahore resolution adopted by the All-India Muslim Alliance in 1940. The resolution stresses that unless the territorial contiguous areas of Muslim and Muslim are not divided between the territorial contiguous areas of Muslim majority. It further advocates that these regions (especially in the northwest and eastern regions of British India, should be organized into independent states to ensure the full autonomy and sovereignty of their constituent forces.

Year

event

1846

Jamu and Kashmir State (J&K) were established under the Treaty of Amritsar by the East India Company and Raja Gulab Singh of Jamu. Raja Gulab Singh purchased the Kashmir Valley for Rs 75,000,000 and fused it with Jamu and Ladakh.

1925

Maharaja Hari Singh ascended to the throne of Jamu and Kashmir Prince.

1927

Herald state subject law was enacted, restricting non-state subjects from employment in public services and land ownership in the state.

July 13, 1931

Abdul Qadir was arrested and protests broke out, who called on Muslims to resist oppression. Police fired fire and killed people, prompting a week-long mourning period. British troops were deployed to restore order. This incident marked the emergence of Sheikh Abdullah as a political leader.

1932

The All Jamu and Kashmir Muslim Conference was established to advocate for the rights of Kashmir Muslims and challenge the rule of the Maharaja. Later, it was renamed the National Conference in 1939.

March 1932

J&K’s marijuana commissioned BJ Glancy to review Muslims’ demands, thus proposing a proposal to increase Muslims’ representation in government services.

April 1932

Kashmiri Pandits launched a “Bread Movement” to oppose the implementation of Glancy’s proposal.

1934

The Grand Duke granted the constitution to establish a legislative parliament, but lacked important powers.

1939

The Muslim Conference was renamed to the National Conference and was consistent with the Indian nationalist movement.

September 7, 1939

The Grand Duke formulated the “Zemu” and the Kashmir Constitutional Law” and formulated a constitutional framework. However, both the national conference and the Muslim conference found it insufficient.

March 1940

Lahore’s resolution was adopted by the All India Muslim Alliance, advocating independent states with Muslims in the majority.

April 1943 – May 1943

The Muslim Conference was restored to opposition to the national conference of Sheikh Abdullah and was consistent with the Muslim League.

1944

Muhammad Ali Jinnah addressed a public gathering in Srinagar, organized by the National Conference. His remarks on the unity of Muslims in India led to a rift between him and Sheikh Abdullah.

September 29-30, 1944

The National Conference adopted the Naya Kashmir Declaration, calling for democratic rights, autonomy and linguistic inclusion.

[July11945[1945年7月1日

The Muslim Conference held its 13th Congress in Poonch, distributing a pamphlet called “Azad Kashmir” in response to the Naya Kashmir declaration of the national conference. It highlights a political and economic plan that is aligned with Pakistan’s demand.

May 15, 1946

Sheikh Abdullah launched the “Exit Kashmir” campaign, demanding the end of Dogra Rule and the referendum to determine the future of Kashmir. He was subsequently imprisoned and declared that he had obtained the precepts.

July 26, 1946

The Muslim Conference passed the “Azad Kashmir” resolution, calling for an end to autocratic rule and the establishment of a constitutional parliament.

1946-1947

Political turmoil escalated in Poonch and Jammu, affecting the greater Kashmir dispute.

June 3, 1947

The British government approved the establishment of an independent Pakistan in Muslim-majority areas.

August 14, 1947

Pakistan was formally established as an independent country.

Before 1947: The state of Jamu and Kashmir Prince

Prior to the zoning of Britain India in 1947, Jamu and Kashmir Prince were a diverse region, with the Muslim majority population ruled by the Hindu monarch Maharaja Hari Singh. With the end of British rule, the princely state can choose to join India or Pakistan or maintain independence. Maharaja Hari Singh initially chose to remain independent, signing a pause agreement with India and Pakistan to maintain the status quo.

The role of the British in the conflict between POK and Kashmir

Cyril Radcliffe’s role in partitioning

The partition was supervised by British lawyer Cyril Radcliffe, who arrived in British India on 8 July 1947. Although there is no prior knowledge of India or cartography, his task is to take the border between India and Pakistan in just five weeks.

Pakistan’s British plot to invade J&K

Britain played an important role in Pakistan’s aggression in J&K. Key figures involved include:

  • Lord Mountbatten (Governor of India)
  • General Lockhart (C-in-C, Indian Army)
  • General Douglas Gracey (Pakistan Army C-in-C)

Although Nehru still doesn’t know, Jinnah was told that Pakistan plans to use the “Razakars” to invade Kashmir, which includes regular visitors to the Pakistani army, all armed and trained by the Pakistani army.

Winston Churchill’s role

  • Although Clement Atlee is British Prime Minister, Churchill remains an influential figure.
  • He instructed General Douglas Gracey to let India and Pakistan fight, but ensure that “part of India” stayed with Pakistan.
  • The strategy aims to engage in permanent conflict between India and Pakistan.

1947: Pornchi Rebellion and Tribal Invasion

In the spring of 1947, socio-political tensions escalated in the Pangchi area due to punitive taxation and oppressive policies of the Maharaja government. This led to a local uprising, with the recently demobilized World War II soldiers playing an important role. The rebellion spread and by October 1947, thousands of Pashtun tribes from Pakistan’s northwestern border province entered Jamu and Kashmir to support the uprising and capture key towns like Muzaffarabad and Balamula.

Join India and the First Indian Parker War

Facing the advancing tribal power, Maharaja Hari Singh seeks military aid from India. India agreed to the conditions for Jamu and Kashmir to join India. Greater California signed the joining tool on October 26, 1947 to integrate Jamu and Kashmir into India. Indian troops were then airlifted to Srinagar to fight back the invasion. This marked the beginning of the first Indian-Pak War (1947–1948), leading to an unmediated ceasefire and the establishment of a Line of Control (LOC), effectively dividing the region.

The formation of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)

On October 24, 1947, amid chaos, a group of rebels announced the establishment of the Provisional Government of Jamu, Free, and Kashmir, in the southwestern region. Sardar Muhammad Ibrahim Khan played a key role in the movement, leading the “Azad Army” of about 50,000 men, including many former personnel. They controlled much of the western region and were later designated Azad Kashmir.

Karachi Agreement (1949) and Ceasefire Line (CFL)

The 1949 Karachi Agreement mediated by the United Nations established a ceasefire line (CFL) between India and Pakistan.

Key issues in CFL demarcation

  • The CFL is only marked NJ 9842, which is this protocol that ambiguously says “from there to north to the glacier.”
  • This ambiguity is a deliberate British strategy to achieve future disputes.
  • The CFL was drawn using a thick sketch on a map of 1:2,50,000, resulting in a 1km error, which is the reason for the constant friction.
  • In 1972, the CFL was renamed Line of Control (LOC).

Siachen Glacier and Tactical Mapping Controversy

  • US Defense Mapping Agency (1967-70): Incorrectly depicting the India-Pak border, granting the Siyachin Glacier from the map to Pakistan.
  • Pakistan’s strategic invasion:
    • Foreign expeditions are encouraged to make territorial claims against Siachi.
    • India won the Siochen action in April 1984 through Operation Meghdoot.
  • The Kargil disaster in Pakistan (1999): Trying to capture Indian territory but was defeated.

Strategic Challenges in India

India faces two security threats from Pakistan and China and needs continued military vigilance.

Key military and strategic issues

  • Pakistan’s expansionist ambitions:
    • Regular invasions and cross-border terrorism.
    • Trying to internationalize the Kashmir issue.
  • China’s expansionist policies:
    • Gilgit-Baltistan’s presence increased.
    • Aksai Chin’s military infrastructure development.
  • Geopolitical consistency:
    • Pakistan relies on China’s military and nuclear technology.
    • China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) strategically integrates POK into its economic corridor.

Gilgit-Baltistan joins Pakistan

In the northern region, the paramilitary force Gilgit Scouts opposed the rule of Grand Galaha. Their declaration of loyalty to Pakistan led to Pakistan’s control over Gilgit-Baltistan. Unlike AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan is directly managed by Pakistan and gained limited autonomy in 2009.

Subsequent development

The Kashmir conflict led to several wars between India and Pakistan, especially in 1965 and 1999, where both countries argued throughout the region. Despite many diplomatic efforts and the UN’s resolutions demanding a referendum, the dispute remains unresolved, with the LOC acting as a de facto border.

Political developments have continued to affect the region in recent years. For example, in 2019, the Indian government abolished the special autonomy of Jamu and Kashmir, resulting in significant political and social change. The elections, held in 2024, resulted in an ineffective government as the region remains under direct control of New Delhi as a trade union territory.

The current status of POK and the wider Kashmir conflict remains influenced by political action, regional dynamics and the complex history of conflict.

in conclusion

The history and geopolitical manipulation of Jamur and Kashmir, British colonial interests and regional conflicts are deeply intertwined.

The hasty and flawed partition of 1947 planted the seeds of the Kashmir dispute. With the support of British officers, Pakistan’s aggression led to pok. China’s opportunism and Pakistan’s strategic misest estimates continue to shape the geopolitics of the region. India’s successful defense of Siachen (1984) and its resilience in Kargil (1999) strengthens its territorial integrity.

Despite the ongoing tensions, India is committed to protecting its sovereignty over Jamu and Kashmir.

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