Reclaiming Gilgit Baltistan

 https://www.organiser.org/Encyc/2020/10/13/Gilgit-Baltistan-Let-India-Reclaim-Its-Forgotten-Territory.html

 

Pakistan, Yet again, Has stated that Gilgit Baltistan will be merged into Pakistan as a Fifth province. The  timing of this oft repeated announcement seems to have Chinese considerations ,aimed as a response to India depicting  Gilgit Baltistan as a part of Leh District of Union territory of Ladakh . Unknown to most, Pre 1901, Gilgit Baltistan and Ladakh were one unit called Northern frontiers of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

To understand the present Pakistani position ,the issue of  Gilgit Baltistan has to be understood.

Gilgit Baltistan comprised of Wazarat of Gilgit, Gilgit Agency & Wazarat of Ladakh. Baltistan was a part of Ladakh. Strategically ,the most important area was Gilgit Agency which was leased by the British for 60 years from Maharaja Hari Singh in 1935. Gilgit agency comprised of Gilgit west of Indus River  and the  Vassal states.  Most important in present context of these were Hunza, Nagar and  Punial.  Vassal states were the frontier tribal states which paid tribute to the Maharaja. The importance of these Vassal states arose from their location,Criss crossed by  trade routes to Eurasia, Central Asia  and Afghanistan . The most important State was Hunza as it was from there the British feared Russians could  create a land route  via Gilgit to Arabian Sea. To understand the present context, it is the route of the proposed CPEC and the Existing Karakoram Highway.  The British raised a Millitary unit named Gilgit scouts from the natives of Gilgit, Hunza and Nagar and by Enlistment from Mirpur ,Poonch and Jammu region. The area was remote, mountainous, sparsely populated and was inaccessible once snow fell ,from October to  March . 

The Myth often propagated by Pakistan is that since Gilgit Agency was leased to the British, Maharaja had no authority over it. Another myth  is that the local population wanted to accede to Pakistan . Yet another myth is that the Mirs of Hunza and Nagar acceded to Pakistan hence Accession of Gilgit to Pakistan was legal. 

British had dissolved all existing treaties and leases with Princely states with the end of its Paramountcy . There is extensive material on record in National archives over reverting of Gilgit agency to Maharaja Hari Singh. On 28 July 1947 , The British issued a Gazette Notification stating that Gilgit agency would be reverted back to Maharaja Hari Singh on 1 August 1947. British parliament made it very clear on 25 March 2017 via a resolution  that Gilgit Baltistan  was a part of state of JK when Pakistan was attempting to merge it as a fifth province .

As per Records, as early as May 1947, Gilgit Agency was to be reverted back to Maharaja, the residents were happy with returning to Dogra rule and Gilgit scouts also had Negotiated their terms of employment with Maharaja’s government .The Vassal states of Hunza and Nagar were never accorded status of Independent states in a India Act 1935 and were vassal states of Maharaja. Once Maharaja had acceded to Dominion of India , the Mirs had no right to accede to Pakistan. 

Post reverting of Gilgit Agency to Maharaja Hari Singh , there was delay in setting up administration in Gilgit. The Maharaja was busy in quelling uprisings in poonch and Gilgit was neglected. Brigadier Ghansara Singh took over as Governor of Gilgit and arrived with a treasury for Gilgit. 

The delay in Setting up administration and posting of Rebellious regiment of J& K army from poonch to Bunji set the stage for ‘Gilgit Mutiny’ . The invasions by Pakistani tribals   of Jammu and Kashmir on 22 Oct, started rumours of atrocities against Muslims. The idea of Islamic state gripped the Fancy of tribals of Frontier Area. These tribals were unlettered and followed Sharia. A narrative was created of Hindu ruler  unleashing torture on Muslim subjects. The Muslim officers and other ranks  of Gilgit  scouts were contacted by Muslim officers of Maharaja’s  Army to incite them for a Mutiny. 

Violence against Non Muslims began in Gilgit and the subjects asked protection of Brigadier Ghansara Singh. The Muslim soldiers massacred fellow  Sikhs and Hindus soldiers at Bunji and moved to Gilgit. The scouts were outnumbered and were forced to join the mutiny or be killed. Brigadier Ghansara Singh was imprisoned . The raja of Punial( Sunni Muslim ) ,who supported Dogra kings, came  to protect Brigadier Ghansara Singh . On 4 November , the rebels announced Gilgit was acceding  to Pakistan. Major Brown carried out the ‘accession’, and the Mirs of Hunza and Nagar too ‘acceded’ to Pakistan. 

Once the Pakistani Army and Government took over , they Kidnapped the employees of J&K government and forced them to work under Pakistan. The women were converted and forcibly married off to Pakistani army officers. There was complete blackout of information from this area. The first news of Killing and conversion of non Muslims in Gilgit Came via Hindu traders of Kashgar.

In February 1948 , the Pakistani army invaded Baltistan. The non Muslim population took refuge in Skardu Fort  under Major Sher Jung Thapa. For 6 months ,Skardu withstood siege by Pakistan army, Surrendering on 14 August 1948.

Post UN mandated ceasefire, the Present Area of Gilgit Baltistan came under Pakistani occupation. In contravention of UN resolutions, It divided the occupied area into ‘Azad Kashmir’(Mirpur Muzzafarabad area of J&K) and ‘Northern Areas’ ( present day Gilgit Baltistan).

A top secret report of 1951 ,mentions that the Population of Gilgit Baltistan had become disillusioned by Pakistani occupation within a few months. The sharia compliant population saw their dream of an Islamic nation shattered as Pakistani army and government officials did not practise Islamic way of life. The wide spread corruption and imposition of Pathan administrators saw people yearning for Dogra rule. Food items become very costly with employment being denied to original inhabitants. It is very tragic that the discontent was not seized upon at that time and Gilgit Baltistan liberated .

In 1963, 5160 sq km area of Shaksgam adjoining Xinxiang and Siachen was ceded to China. 

In 1974, Pakistan removed the state subject rule of Maharaja Hari Singh and allowed Sunnis to migrate and settle in the Shia majority Region. The Migration was enabled by building of Karakoram Highway that connected Gilgit to Kashgar.Sectarian violence was unleashed on a wide scale and 1988 saw intense Sunni-Shia Riots.

India, unfortunately ,did not intervene, always citing UN resolutions and Talks as a way. Thus, the ethnic Gilgit Baltistan citizens  tried to either get independence and create a state of Balwaristan, reunite with a India or seek to be merged with Pakistan to get rights and say in Pakistan . 

Interestingly , the Pakistani constitution does not recognise Gilgit Baltistan as a Province. Judgements of SC in Pakistan have underlined the non constitutional status of Gilgit Baltistan.

Post CPEC, China has become a party to the issue and would like to see Gilgit Baltistan become a part of Pakistan. Amending the constitution to include Gilgit Baltistan is not a big effort for Pakistan as the constitution has been rewritten many times since creation of Pakistan.

The dilemma Pakistan faces is that in case it merges Gilgit Baltistan ,it has to officially disown UN resolutions.  The ‘plebiscite’ narrative and the Idea of Annexing  Kashmir have to be abandoned. That is the reason Pakistan announces annexation but does not Follow through. 

India has all the facts to prove the illegality of Pakistani occupation of Gilgit Baltistan . The Ethnic inhabitants of Gilgit Baltistan are very restless, as they see CPEC  exploiting their resources without  benefits for them. 

The ancient Cultural links of Gilgit Baltistan with India  are etched in stone, in form of More than 2000 rock carvings and petroglyphs scattered around the trade routes . The living proofs are in the Sanskrit origin of Shina , spoken by Gilgit Inhabitants.Yungdrung, A swastika, is venerated by the Muslims of Baltistan as their pre Islamic heritage.  The script Balti is Tibetan and finds an echo with Ladakhi language and script.

	Ancient Cultural links bind Gilgit Baltistan to India and not to Pakistan or China . The links needs to be publicised and our cultural heritage , under threat of being submerged in CPEC projects need to be protected.

The 1994 Parliamentary Resolution needs to be revived in letter and spirit. Territories are not lost by Occupation but when they are Forgotten . Let India reclaim its forgotten territory of Gilgit Baltistan. 

 

 

 

What is POJK, Gilgit Baltistan , Aksai Chin - Let us know our occupied territories

 Strategic Importance of Pakistan Occupied Jammu Kashmir , Gilgit Baltistan and Aksai Chin 

Article 370 has been Amended as to implement the Union constitution in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and the state has been reorganised into 2 UT’s – Jammu &Kashmir and UT of Ladakh . In the parliament Home Minister has been on record to say that POJK and Aksai chin are included when J&K is mentioned. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh has stated on many occasions that any Talks with Pakistan will be only on Pakistan Occupied Jammu Kashmir. In the recent UNGA session, China supported Pakistan on its stand on 370 abrogation and reorganisation of the State. It is imperative to understand the Occupied region and realise its importance.

Maharaja Hari Singh acceded to India on 26 October ,1947, by signing the instrument of accession. The princely state comprising of Gilgit Wazarat, Gilgit Agency, Ladakh , Kashmir and Jammu became a part of Dominion of India . On 22 October onwards , Pakistani Army under the guise of North frontier tribals called Kabilais invaded the state of Jammu & Kashmir from 3 axis..Jammu, poonch and  Kashmir. Meanwhile in Gilgit region the troops of Gilgit Scouts mutinied and Gilgit ‘acceded ‘ to Pakistan, after a massacre of Sikh Soldiers at Bunji. Jawahar Lal Nehru took the matter to UN and a ceasefire was announced on 1 January 1949 which allowed Pakistan to be in occupation of territories of Gilgit-Baltistan and Mirpur -Muzzafarabad, which it terms as ‘Azad Jammu kashmir’. China started to occupy the region of Aksai Chin in Eastern Ladakh from 1954 onwards by building a Road called Highway 219 connecting Kashgar in Xinxiang to Lhasa in Tibet . In 1954 , india issued a memo , stating that Johnson Ardagh line as its official boundary ,while China claimed Macdonald -Mac cartney line. Post 1962 Indo China war, it occupied the territory of Aksai Chin . In 1963, under a Pakistani -China  Border Agreement , Pakistan ceded Shaksgam valley in its Occupied territory of Gilgit -Baltistan to China. In addition, China occupies Minsar, an indian principality in western Tibet, which was a part of J&K, and whose revenues maintained Kailash -Mansarovar after it occupied Tibet .

Thus the Dejure Map of Jammu & Kashmir , has been converted to a map where a de-facto LOC exists on the Pakistani border and an LAC on the Chinese border .

Post occupation of Aksai Chin by China, Nehru had famously claimed that as not a blade of grass grows in Aksai Chin, it was irrelevant if China occupied it, completely ignoring the strategic. Importance of Aksai chin. Also , Grass did grow in Aksai chin as nomads came to graze their yaks in summers .Aksai chin was Criss-crossed by ancient trade routes which gave access to Tibet, China, Xinxiang and Central Asia and connected to various trade routes extending to Eurasia and Middle east. The important trade routes were Kashgar-Leh-Srinagar and Lhasa- Leh . These trade routes were stopped once Highway 219 became operational, causing economic deprivation in Ladakh . China connected its two occupied territories,ensuring movement of goods and Millitary. China’s ability to mobilise its troops and tanks gave it advantage in the 1962 war. Many analysts claim that in case of war, Chinese tanks can reach New Delhi very quickly. For many decades pre 2014, this analysis was given as excuse by Indian government of not enhancing Border infrastructure on Indian -Tibet Border .

Occupation of Aksai chin denies India access to Central Asia ,while China can monitor Central Asia. Aksai chin is like a Chinese satellite, which pressurises india on Chinese occupation of Shaksgam and its involvement in economic activities in Gilgit Baltistan. The CPEC project is vital to China as it creates a link via Gilgit Baltistan to Gwadar, cutting the distance of Xinxiang to a port to 2500 km ,from the 4500 km to Shanghai . Also, India is forced to maintain its forces in the areas, and frequent incursions occur by Chinese troops. Boundary talks are On since 1988 to find a solution to Aksai Chin.

Pakistani occupation of Gilgit Baltistan enabled it to extend its borders to China, and to Ladakh and Siachen . Gilgit Baltistan is the Gateway to Central Asia and Afghanistan from the indian subcontinent. Gilgit lies at cross roads of trade routes which are called the ancient Silk route. It shares its border with Xinxiang ( occupied by China since 1949) Afghanistan  And Pakistan, with access to Central Asia via Wakhan corridor to Tajikistan(25 km) . Ancient trade routes ,mainly Gandhar(Kandahar) -Varahmul( Baramulla ), Kashgar -Srinagar etc passed through Gilgit. Presently The Karakoram Highway enters Gilgit Baltistan through Khunjareb pass and connects Gilgit to Kashgar. The road is the central point of the CPEC (China-Pakistan economic corridor) . The road further extends to Islamabad and then to Gwadar deep sea port. Thus via Gilgit Baltistan, China gets its landlocked western and central areas access to warm waters of Arabian Sea. The central Asian republics, rich in natural gas, also get access to Sea port via this route.

China imports Crude oil from Middle East and Minerals from Africa ,exporting Finished products to both. Presently the sea route is via Indian Ocean,Malacca straits and South China Sea, where US, India are strong forces and US can impose Barricades via malacca strait. Also,the distance to shanghai from middle eastern ports is about 12000 km, along with added land route. A port in Gwadar ,linked by CPEC will make transport of the above goods very fast and insulate it from US .

Millitary presence of China in Gwadar port will give it power in Arabian Sea to offset Indian Dominance in the area.

Chinese investments in Gilgit Baltistan have given Pakistan disproportionate  power in the subcontinent which it did not have. Chinese Pakistan axis has potential to encircle India and keep it entangled with Pakistan. This is the reason China opposes Reorganisation of Ladakh and J&K as UTs . Historically, pre 1905, Gilgit, Baltistan and Ladakh including Aksai Chin were part of one district known as northern Frontiers .

 Indus River flows in Gilgit Baltistan From Ladakh.  China proposes to built a North Indus cascade , a group of 5 Dams starting from Skardu in Baltistan. The energy from these dams is proposed to be used by China, and irrigation by Pakistan. This is another challenge to Indian policy makers . 

Three largest Glaciers outside polar regions are in Gilgit Baltistan along with Mineral reserves including Gold, Uranium and Molybednum. Hunza has Best quality gold reserves . The Mir of Hunza would pay tribute to the Maharaja of J&K in sacks full of gold dust, collected from flowing streams . Pakistan has given mining rights of rare minerals to China, resources which belong to India.

Siachen Glacier is the area where three nuclear Nations -China,India and Pakistan link up. India dominates the area via Saltoro ridge. Ceding of Shaksgam valley and occupying GB enabled Pakistan to exert pressure in this area.

It must be noted that all wars with Pakistan post independence have been in this region, starting with first Indo pak war( Oct 1947-31 dec 1948), 1965 Indo pak war along LOC,  In 1971 on Ladakh Border, in 1984 the Siachen war (Ladakh Border) and in 1999 the Kargil war( Ladakh Border).Reclaiming this Territory will enhance security of India.

Mirpur -muzzafarabad ,which Pakistan terms as Azaad Jammu Kashmir, serves as an ideological mouthpiece for proponents of Independent Kashmir . It offers a stage for amplifying Separatist voices while giving space to terrorist outfits to set up camps . Infiltrations occur mostly from this area . Terror outfits active in Mirpur – muzzafarabad receive funds from abroad through various charities set up. The so called Kashmiri voices in UK are Mirpuris who migrated to UK post Construction of Mangala Dam. 

Minsar in west Tibet was an Indian principality which maintained Kailash Mansarovar area. The traditional route to Kailash Mansarovar was from Ladakh ,via Demchok to Minsar . Reopening of this route,which is quicker and safer will be of a great economic benefit to Ladakh .

To conclude, when we claim that Jammu&Kashmir is a strategic state, it is the occupied areas by Pakistan and China which are the real strategic areas. These areas gave India access to Central Asia,Afghanistan and made India prosperous via trade through silk route. Security of India was strengthened by control over these areas. Gilgit Baltistan along with Kashmir and Ladakh had been the centre of trade for centuries . To make India Strong and prosperous it is imperative to regain control of these territories .

 

 

Kashmir esp POJK Is the blind spot of our National Discourse when it should be the prime Focus

POJK  and POTL (pak occupied territory of Ladakh) Are the blind spots of our National Discourse when they should be the prime Focus 

In this Piece I will Argue how Kashmir,esp POJK ,POTL,has been shaping and influencing India’s Foreign Policy to a large extent,but sadly has been missing from the public discourse.

Not a day passes when Kashmir is not in news, the Kashmir that is mostly in news is the Part of Kashmir under India’s control. Large Tracts of Kashmir occupied by Pakistan and some by China had been effectively blocked out by the Media and political classes for nearly 70 years,it took PM Modi mention of POK,Gilgit Baltistan and Balochistan to bring this area into national discourse .Recently PM Modi again highlighted the importance of POJK ,blaming the faulty policies of Nehru in depriving India of its strategic territory .

Kashmir was always a very strategic area since ancient times,the most important part being the area of Gilgit ,now occupied by Pakistan. Every Emperor secured this area to secure his Empire starting with the great Kashmiri King Lalitaditya .In Modern times Maharaja Ranjit Singh and then The Dogra Kings had this very strategic area in their Kingdoms. 

The importance of Gilgit is that it touches six Nations -India,Afghanistan,Tazakistan ,China and Tibet 

It was in the centre of the ancient trade route and facilitated India becoming a ‘sone ki chidhiya’( golden bird) .

In the past,as recently pre Independence,Kayastha traders from Multan had offices in St Petersburg and many Soviet ports .

British games in Kashmir

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British understood the Importance of Gilgit . Jammu and Kashmir was the largest princely state ruled by the Dogra King Maharaja Hari Singh . In the round table conference in London ,much to the dismay of British,Maharaja Hari Singh supported Independence of India. Kashmir was very important for the British for access to Afghanistan,Central Asia and as a counter to Soviet Union .

From 1931 onwards protests and stone pelting started in Kashmir. Sheikh Abdullah gave inciting speeches in mosques and emerged as a counter leader to Maharaja Hari Singh. Protestors came in from British ruled areas of Punjab. In 1935 ,Soviet forces occupied Tazakistan. The area of Gilgit became very important for British and the Maharaja was forced to sign an agreement with the British to lease the area of Gilgit to the British for 60 years .The British named this area Agency of Gilgit and a force called the Gilgit Scouts was raised to Administer it. Pre Independence,In 1947 ,Gilgit was returned to Maharaja Hari Singh .Maharaja Hari Singh signed an agreement with Major W.A. Brown of Gilgit Scouts to work under Maharaja Hari Singh’s Government . Documents attest to the fact that three months prior to Independence ,ration supplies to Gilgit Scouts were not made inspite of repeated requests by Major Brown by the Resident of Jammu and Kashmir .

Pre Partition ,Lord Mountbatten kept on advising Maharaja Hari Singh to remain independent or join Pakistan . Maharaja Hari Singh signed a standstill agreement with Pakistan pending his decision ,but post independence ,On 21 October ,1947 Kashmir was attacked by Pakistani Army in the disguise of Kabilas or tribals. Maharaja Hari Singh acceded to India on 26 Oct 1947 and Indian Army began fighting with Pakistani Invaders.

On 1 Nov, the Gilgit Scouts Mutinied and on 2 Nov Pakistani Flag was hoisted in Gilgit and Gilgit was occupied by Pakistan . 

The Indian Army ,about to reach Gilgit ,was stopped as Nehru had approached UN against the aggression of Pakistan into its territory and a Cease fire was announced on midnight 31 Dec 1948. 

 Kashmir as a very important factor in India’s foreign policy——————————————————————————-

The first Foreign policy decision taken by Nehru was to approach the UN against Aggression by Pakistan . This had a very long term effect on India. A ceasefire was announced,Both Pakistani Army and Indian Army were asked to retreat to pre 1 August 1947 positions in JK . The political compulsions and IOC block ensured that a resolution was passed in UN advising India to have a plebiscite in Kashmir once the conditions of ceasefire and return to pre 1 Aug 1947 positions were fulfilled.The plebiscite advise  was pushed through based on an letter written by Lord Mountbatten to Maharaja Hari Singh to take the wishes of his citizens in mind post accession to India. This letter had no legal sanctity .

Pakistan has since then used the third recommendation as a ploy to push India into a defensive position on Kashmir and provided a speaking point to its separatists in India held Kashmir ,while blocking out POJK entirely on International forums. 

Post 1962 Pakistan moved closer to China.In 1963 Pakistan signed away Shaksgam Valley In Baltistan to China via a treaty. This area was a part of India occupied by Pakistan. India Protested Feebly and failed to make it either a domestic or International issue . 

Domestic vote bank considerations and coalition politics ensured that POJK remained a blind spot in Foreign policy discussions and remained a forgotten issue in Domestic politics .

On 22 February ,1994,the parliament of India passed a resolution Stating  that POJK was a part of India,but after that resolution ,POJK went back to its blind spot.

Strategic Importance of Gilgit and POJK to India

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POJK was the access to Afghanistan for India. India has been forced to use a sea route via Chabahar in Iran and road route via Iran to reach Afghanistan to send it food supplies.

Access to vitally important Central Asia is Via POJK 

At the present the only connection to Central Asia is via Air which is very poor with no direct flights from India to any Central Asian nations 

Gilgit is the region which opens up Road access to Central Asia,Russia, Middle East and Europe 

The Northern Light Infantary brigade of Pakistan occupied the heights of Kargil in 1999 through LOC via POJK 

China Footprint in POJK and POTL 

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CPEC runs through Indian areas occupied by Pakistan in Gilgit and Baltistan .

China has invested about 65000 crore in POJK 

China has deployed about 11000 troops in POJK 

China has signed mining and projects of two large dams in POJK 

Conclusion 

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POJK is a very Important territory of India occupied by Pakistan and strategically occupied by China too. For decades POJK has been a blind spot in India. Need is to bring it into National focus. School books should carry chapters on POJK. At every international forum India must bring up illegal occupation of its territory by Pakistan and China .

A strong Domestic Voice has to be built up within India and POJK issues have to become the prime focus in national debates.

Foreign policy is often shaped by Domestic concerns,let us all lend our voice to make POJK a burning issue and bring it centerstage.

‘Azaad Kashmir’  is area occupied by Pakistan in the first Kashmir war in sept-oct 1947 pre ceasefire , Consisting of districts of Mirpur Muzaffarabad ,pat of UT of Jammu and Kashmir.

Gilgit Baltistan was under Gilgit Scouts,handed over to Pakistan on 2 Nov 1947. It is part of Leh district, union territory of Ladakh 

Shaksgam Valley was gifted to China by Pakistan in 1963 ,also a part of Pak occupied Ladakh .

Sources - JKSC publications , Jammukashmirnow.org ,news reports