THE FIRST VICTORY
POST INDIA’S INDEPENDENCE TO SAVE THE STATE OF JAMMU & KASHMIR
FROM PAKISTAN INVASION IN 1947 “AT SHALATENG, THE NEFARIOUS
DESIGN OF PAKISTAN HAD COME TO A SUDDEN HALT”
Srinagar, 07 November 2021. As part of celebration for ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’
and to commemorate the historic victory of the Indian Armed Forces in its first war
after independence, Chinar Corps conducted a unique light & sound show to re-
enact the historic ‘Battle of Shalateng’. ‘Battle of Shalateng’ was the most decisive
battle of the first Indo-Pak War 1947 and had a long standing impact on the history
and geography of Jammu & Kashmir. It literally changed the face of the war and
saved Srinagar from the onslaught of the Pakistan Army and the barbarian hordes,
supported by Pakistan Army. The well-coordinated and executed operations by
1 SIKH, 1 KUMAON, 4 KUMAON and a Squadron from 7 Light Cavalry, supported
by the Indian Air Force strikes, changed the course of the war, wherein Kashmiri
citizens and soldiers of the Indian Army fought valiantly alongside to evict Pakistani
Forces, driving them out of most of Jammu & Kashmir till ceasefire on 05 January
1949.
The re-enactment of the ‘Battle of Shalateng’ events in the form of light &
sound extravaganza was a befitting tribute to pay obeisance to the brave soldiers
and the invaluable contribution of the people of Jammu & Kashmir, who fought
alongside the Indian Armed Forces to ultimately defeat Pakistan Army who had
unleased plunder, loot, rape and destruction of property and houses of Kashmiris,
their most deplorable act was the mass rapes of local women. The replica of the
historic event was also a befitting tribute to honour the ‘Next of Kin’ of war heroes
who participated in the 1947-48 War.
The nostalgic event was witnessed by Lieutenant General DP Pandey, Chinar
Corps Commander along with several other civil and military dignitaries. In addition,
the Next of Kin of war veterans who travelled across the country to be a part of this
mega event were felicitated along with the units which participated in the ‘Battle of
Shalateng’. Those felicitated included Mrs Usha Parmar, daughter of Brigadier
Rajinder Singh, Mahavir Chakra, Chief of Staff of the Jammu & Kashmir State
Forces and Mrs Sher Mishra Rana, daughter of Lieutenant Colonel Narain Singh
Samyal, 4 JAK RIF.
The showcasing of the true historical events of 1947-48 Indo-Pak war will
rekindle the curiosity of the youth to explore and rediscover the true history of
Jammu & Kashmir and the valiant acts of those who selflessly put their lives at stake
to protect the people of J&K.
