Accession Of Jammu And Kashmir: Dimensions And Outputs – OpEd

The accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India is a complex and historically significant event that took place in 1947, during the partition of British India into the newly independent dominions of India and Pakistan and its overview include:;

Historical Background:

Princely State under British Rule: Jammu and Kashmir were a princely state ruled by Maharaja Hari Singh at the time of India's independence in 1947. The state was predominantly Muslim, but the ruler was Hindu, creating a unique situation amid the communal tensions of the partition. 

Partition of British India: The Indian Independence Act of 1947 allowed princely states the option to join either India or Pakistan or remain independent. Maharaja Hari Singh initially chose to remain independent, hoping to maintain autonomy over his state.;

Events Leading to Accession: Invasion by Tribal Militias: In October 1947, tribal militias from Pakistan, supported by the Pakistani army, invaded Jammu and Kashmir. The invasion aimed to force the Maharaja to accede to Pakistan, given the state's Muslim majority.;

Request for Assistance: Facing an existential threat from the invasion, Maharaja Hari Singh sought military assistance from India. India agreed to send troops on the condition that the Maharaja would accede to India.;

Instrument of Accession: On October 26, 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession, formally joining the state to India. The accession was provisionally accepted by the then Governor-General of India, Lord Mountbatten, with the understanding that the final decision would be made by the people of the state once the situation stabilized.;

Aftermath and Conflict: Military Action and Ceasefire: Indian troops were airlifted into Jammu and Kashmir and successfully pushed back the invading forces. However, the conflict escalated into a full-scale war between India and Pakistan, leading to a UN-mediated ceasefire in January 1949.;

UN Involvement: The United Nations Security Council passed resolutions calling for a plebiscite to determine the will of the people regarding accession to India or Pakistan. Jammu and Kashmir were granted special autonomy under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, allowing it to have its own constitution and considerable independence over internal matters.;

This special status was abrogated by the Indian government in August 2019, integrating the state more closely into the Indian Union and reorganizing it into two separate Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.;

Current Status: Ongoing Dispute: The region remains a flashpoint between India and Pakistan, with both countries claiming it in full but controlling only parts of it. The Line of Control (LoC) serves as the de facto border between the Indian-administered and Pakistani-administered parts of the region.;

Internal Developments: The abrogation of Article 370 has led to significant political and social changes within Jammu and Kashmir, alongside increased security measures and administrative restructuring. The accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India continues to be a highly sensitive and contentious issue, influencing regional politics, international relations, and the lives of the people in the region.

First three wars on Jammu and Kashmir

The Kashmir conflict has led to several wars and military engagements between India and Pakistan. Here's a detailed overview of these conflicts:;

First Indo-Pak War (1947-1948): Background: Following the partition of British India in 1947, Pakistan-supported tribal militias invaded the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. Maharaja Hari Singh, the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, signed the Instrument of Accession to India in exchange for military assistance. Conflict: Indian forces were airlifted to Srinagar to repel the invasion. Intense fighting occurred, with both sides suffering heavy casualties.;

Outcome: The war ended with a United Nations-mediated ceasefire on January 1, 1949. The Line of Control (LoC) was established, dividing the region between Indian-administered and Pakistani-administered areas. The UN called for a plebiscite to determine the region’s future, which has not been held.;

Second Indo-Pak War (1965): Background: Tensions remained high along the LoC. Pakistan launched Operation Gibraltar, intending to infiltrate forces into Jammu and Kashmir to incite rebellion against Indian rule.;

Conflict: Heavy fighting erupted along the international border in Punjab and Kashmir. Major battles included the Battle of Tithwal, Battle of Haji Pir Pass, and the Battle of Asal Uttar.;

Outcome: The war ended with the Tashkent Agreement brokered by the Soviet Union and the USA in January 1966. Both countries agreed to withdraw to pre-war positions and restore economic and diplomatic relations.;

Third Indo-Pak War (1971): Background: Although the primary theater was East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), the conflict extended to the western front, including Kashmir. This war was primarily triggered by the Bangladesh Liberation War and humanitarian crisis in East Pakistan.;

Conflict: Fighting occurred along the western front, including skirmishes in Kashmir. India achieved a decisive victory in the eastern theater, leading to the creation of Bangladesh.;

Outcome: The Simla Agreement was signed in July 1972, converting the ceasefire line in Kashmir to the Line of Control (LoC) and committing both countries to resolve issues bilaterally.

Latest war and thereafter

In line, the fourth war between India and Pakistan held at Kargil (1999). Its background and other aspects include: a. Infiltration by Pakistani soldiers and militants across the LoC into Indian territory in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir. The infiltration aimed to cut off Indian supply lines and cause international intervention in the Kashmir dispute.;

Conflict: Intense fighting took place in high-altitude, rugged terrain. The Indian Army launched Operation Vijay to evict the infiltrators.;

Outcome: India successfully regained most of the positions occupied by the infiltrators by July 1999. The conflict resulted in heightened tensions but was limited in scope compared to the previous wars.;

Ongoing Conflict and Skirmishes: Post-1999 Skirmishes: Sporadic clashes and skirmishes have continued along the LoC. Incidents of cross-border firing, infiltration attempts, and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir are frequent.;

Notable Incidents:;

2001: Attack on the Indian Parliament led to Operation Parakram, a major Indian military mobilization.;

2016: Uri attack, resulting in Indian surgical strikes across the LoC.;

2019: Pulwama attack followed by Indian airstrikes in Balakot, Pakistan, and subsequent aerial dogfights.;

Diplomatic Efforts and Current Status:;

Diplomatic Efforts: Various diplomatic efforts have been made to resolve the conflict, including the Simla Agreement (1972) and Lahore Declaration (1999). The conflict remains unresolved, with both countries maintaining claims over the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir.;

Current Status: The region remains highly militarized, with frequent violations of the ceasefire agreement along the LoC. Efforts for a lasting peace and resolution continue to face significant challenges due to deep-rooted historical grievances, nationalistic sentiments, and geopolitical dynamics. The Kashmir conflict continues to be a major source of tension between India and Pakistan, impacting regional stability and international relations in South Asia.