Thread by @hannan021

On 1 Aug 1947, Mountbatten cancelled 60 year lease of Muslim majority Gilgit Baltistan to Dogra ruler of Jammu & Kashmir. People of Gilgit Baltistan launched a liberation war against Dogra forces on 1 Nov 1947. By 15 Nov 1947, Gilgit Baltistan was liberated & acceded to Pakistan.

In a jointly coordinated effort Commandant Gilgit Scouts Major William Alexander Brown, Muslim officers of Dogra State Forces & Muslim Viceroy Commissioned Officers decided to rise in a liberation war against Dogra State Forces when Raja decided to join India instead of Pakistan.

Subedar Major Babar Khan led the troops of Gilgit Scouts, surrounded Governor’s House & ordered State Governor Brigadier Ghansara Singh to surrender. A fire-fight ensued & Sepoy Amir Hayat, member of Hunza Platoon became the first Shaheed of Gilgit Baltistan’s war of liberation.

In Bunji, Capt Hassan Khan, an officer of Dogra State 6 Jammu & Kashmir Infantry Battalion, along-with other Muslim officers led the liberation war. Commanding Officer of 6 Jammu & Kashmir Infantry was arrested by Subedar Saifullah Baig, Education VCO and Bunji was liberated.

The available force was divided into three different columns viz Ibex Force under Major Ehsan Khan, Tiger Force under Captain Hassan Khan, Eskimo Force under Lieutenant Shah Khan & were tasked to liberate the remaining areas of Gilgit Baltistan which they fearlessly accomplished.

About 2000 soldiers, retired & serving with civilian volunteers, fought the war to liberate Gilgit Baltistan. A total of 86 embraced Martyrdom & liberated over 45000 sq km of area of Gilgit Baltistan. It was indeed a remarkable feat of bravery by any stretch of imagination.

These brave and indomitably courageous band of Pakistanis from Gilgit-Baltistan created a legend unparalleled in the annals of military history. 86 embraced Shahadat to make this legend true and liberate Gilgit Baltistan.