At the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947, a newly independent India was born. However, the road ahead was fraught with challenges, not the least of which was the precarious situation in the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. This state, ruled by a Hindu Maharaja but with a Muslim-majority population, became the focal point of a tense and complex confrontation between the newly formed nations of India and Pakistan.
In the early days following independence, the geopolitical landscape of South Asia was chaotic and uncertain. The partition had divided the subcontinent along religious lines, creating the Muslim-majority state of Pakistan and leaving India with a secular yet predominantly Hindu population. Amidst this turmoil, Jammu and Kashmir found itself in a delicate position. Maharaja Hari Singh, the ruler of the state, harbored dreams of an independent Jammu and Kashmir, hoping to avoid the turmoil enveloping the rest of the subcontinent.
However, Pakistan had other plans. In a move that would shape the future of the region, Pakistan launched Operation Gulmarg in October 1947. This covert operation involved sending around 15,000 tribal Pathans, along with Pakistani military assistance, into Jammu and Kashmir to forcibly annex the region. The tribesmen, known for their ferocity, were well-armed and determined.
On the afternoon of October 24, 1947, Major General Douglas Gracy, the Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army, informed his Indian counterpart, Lt. Gen Sir Rob Lockhart, of the invasion. In a significant lapse, six crucial hours were lost before India’s Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was made aware of the situation, a delay that would prove costly.
By then, the invaders had already taken control of Muzaffarabad and Domel, two critical towns now located in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. As they advanced, they reached Baramulla on October 24, a mere 35 miles from Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. The power lines to Srinagar were cut, plunging the city into darkness and setting the stage for what would become one of the most critical military operations in Indian history.
Faced with the imminent threat of losing his kingdom, Maharaja Hari Singh had little choice but to seek help from India. On October 26, 1947, he signed the Instrument of Accession, formally making Jammu and Kashmir a part of India. This decision, while necessary for the survival of his state, meant that the newly independent India was now committed to defending Jammu and Kashmir against the invading forces.
However, the situation on the ground was dire. The road connecting India to Srinagar via Jammu was in poor condition, with the Bannihal Pass tunnel only being constructed eight years later in 1955. The urgency of the situation demanded rapid action, but moving troops by road would have been too slow. The only viable option was an airlift, a task that presented its own set of challenges.
The airstrips at Srinagar and Jammu were rudimentary at best, designed only for the light personal aircraft used by the royal family. They lacked navigational aids, crash tenders, and proper refueling facilities, all essential for military operations. Moreover, the mountainous terrain around the region, often shrouded in mist and clouds, added to the difficulty. Despite these challenges, the Indian Air Force (IAF) had no choice but to attempt the airlift.
The Dakotas, vintage transport aircraft from World War II, were the workhorses of this operation. These aircraft, part of the No. 12 Squadron left behind by the British, were not designed for the high-altitude, rough terrain of Kashmir. Nevertheless, they were the only aircraft available for the task at hand.
The first day of the airlift, October 27, saw 28 sorties flown, each one fraught with danger. The dirt airstrip at Srinagar kicked up dust storms with every landing and takeoff, severely hampering visibility. The stakes were incredibly high: any mishap on the runway could have ended the operation, leaving the city of Srinagar defenseless against the advancing tribal forces. But despite these odds, the first battalion of the 1st Sikhs was successfully airlifted to Srinagar, marking the beginning of a critical defense.
At the heart of this daring operation was Air Commodore Meher Singh, a man whose leadership and flying skills would become legendary. Meher Singh was no stranger to danger, having earned the Distinguished Service Order for his bravery during World War II, a rare honor for an IAF officer. Known for his daring and determination, Meher Singh was the perfect man to lead this high-stakes mission.
Meher Singh’s leadership style was one of leading from the front. He had survived numerous dangerous missions during World War II, including one in which his aircraft was shot down while raiding a force of tribesmen in the North-West Frontier. Despite his aircraft being hit and crashing in hostile territory, Meher Singh and his gunner managed to navigate their way through enemy lines and returned to their squadron the very next day, ready to fly again. This indomitable spirit would be crucial in the Kashmir operations.
In the face of overwhelming odds, Meher Singh inspired confidence in his men, leading them through the difficult airlift operations. The Dakotas not only transported troops but also delivered essential supplies, while fighter-bombers like Spitfires, Tempests, and Harvards provided critical ground support to the Indian Army. This joint effort between the IAF and the Indian Army was pivotal in preventing the fall of Srinagar to the tribal raiders.
While Srinagar was secured, the conflict was far from over. The tribal invaders opened multiple fronts, stretching the Indian forces thin. On November 3, 1947, the raiders won a significant victory at Mendhar and set their sights on Poonch, a strategically important town south of the Haji Pir Pass.
The Haji Pir Pass, connecting Uri to Poonch, held immense strategic value. The road between Uri and Poonch was only 56 kilometers, and whoever controlled the pass had access to much of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The Indian Army managed to reach Poonch, but the town was under constant threat from the well-entrenched invaders.
The situation in Poonch was dire. The British advisors suggested evacuation, but Prime Minister Nehru was determined not to surrender the town to the enemy. However, Poonch lacked even a basic airstrip for aircraft to land. The Indian Army, along with the local population, began the arduous task of constructing a makeshift airstrip on the Jammu and Kashmir Militia Parade ground. Over six days, with the enemy in close proximity, the airstrip was built under constant threat of attack.
As the airstrip neared completion, Air Commodore Meher Singh once again proved his mettle by landing the first Dakota on the precarious strip. The landing, carried out with Air Vice Marshal Subroto Mukherjee on board, was a remarkable feat. The airstrip was situated on the flat top of a hill, surrounded by rivers on three sides and a steep slope on the fourth. Enemy fire was a constant danger, yet the Dakotas managed to deliver essential supplies and artillery to the beleaguered town.
The Indian Army needed long-range field guns to maintain its defensive positions. However, landing the heavy guns during the day proved impossible due to enemy shelling. In a daring move, Meher Singh decided to conduct night landings, using only a few oil lamps for guidance. This audacious strategy paid off, and by the end of November 1948, the Indian Army had gained dominance in Poonch, turning the tide of the battle.
The Kashmir operations were spread across multiple fronts, each presenting its own unique challenges. One of the most difficult was the situation in Skardu, a fortress town in the upper region of the Indus Valley in Ladakh, now part of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan. In May 1948, the Indian Army lost two platoons of Gurkha soldiers who were ambushed while attempting to relieve the garrison at Skardu. The town’s strategic location made it a prime target for the tribal invaders.
The garrison commander at Skardu, realizing the precariousness of their situation, took proactive measures. He constructed an airstrip beside the fort, anticipating that the invaders would soon lay siege to the town. However, resupply from Srinagar was complicated by the need to clear the Dras Valley of infiltrators before any reinforcements could be sent.
Air Commodore Meher Singh once again rose to the challenge. The Dakota Mark III’s performance at such high altitudes, with no oxygen for the crew or passengers, was untested. Nonetheless, Meher Singh agreed to drop supplies using Tempest fighter-bombers. Despite these efforts, the situation in Skardu deteriorated, and the garrison eventually had to surrender. The defenders were taken as prisoners of war and sent to Pakistan.
Following the loss of Skardu, the focus shifted to Leh, the capital of Ladakh. If Leh fell, it would be a significant strategic loss for India, potentially opening up the entire region to the invaders. Major General K. S. Thimayya, the newly appointed chief of the Srinagar division, understood the gravity of the situation. Saving Leh was a daunting task that would be impossible without the support of the IAF.
By this time, Meher Singh had earned the nickname “Meher Baba” among his men, a testament to the respect and admiration he commanded. General Thimayya recognized that convincing Meher Baba to undertake the dangerous mission of flying to Leh was crucial. He appealed to Meher Singh over a shared meal of strawberries and cream by the banks of the Jhelum River, emphasizing the strategic importance of Leh and the risks involved.
Meher Singh understood the enormity of the task. The Dakota, an aircraft not designed for high-altitude flights over the Himalayas, would have to navigate treacherous passes like Zozila and Fatula, reaching altitudes as high as 24,000 feet. Despite the risks, Meher Singh agreed to pilot the first aircraft to Leh, with General Thimayya as his passenger.
On May 24, 1948, Meher Baba successfully negotiated the perilous mountain terrain, landing his Dakota on an improvised strip constructed by a Ladakhi engineer. The successful landing was nothing short of miraculous and played a crucial role in saving Leh from falling into enemy hands. For his bravery and exceptional flying skills, Meher Baba was awarded the Mahavir Chakra, India’s second-highest military decoration.
Air Commodore Meher Singh’s exploits during the Kashmir operations earned him a place in the annals of Indian military history. His daring and skill not only secured key victories but also saved countless lives. His leadership was characterized by a willingness to take on the most dangerous missions himself, inspiring confidence and courage in those who served under him.
Meher Singh’s reputation extended beyond India. In Pakistan, where he had once served alongside many of the officers who now opposed him, he was held in high regard. Pakistan Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Asghar Khan, who had flown with Meher Singh in Burma during World War II, described him as a pilot of outstanding ability. Wing Commander Aizad Baksh Awan, another PAF officer, gave Meher Singh the nickname “Baba Meher,” describing him as a man with the heart of a Bengal tiger, the stamina of a Punjabi bull, and the flying ability of a Himalayan eagle.
Meher Singh was born in 1915 in Lyallpur, now known as Faisalabad in Pakistan. Over his 36 years, he dedicated much of his life to serving in conflict zones, driven by a passion for flying that would ultimately lead to his tragic end. He died as he had lived, in the cockpit of an aircraft, crashing during a civil flight. But his legacy as one of India’s greatest military aviators endures.
The early defense of Jammu and Kashmir was a pivotal moment in India’s history, marked by incredible bravery, strategic acumen, and the indomitable spirit of men like Air Commodore Meher Singh. The successful airlift of troops to Srinagar, the defense of Poonch, and the saving of Leh were all critical in ensuring that Jammu and Kashmir remained a part of India.
Meher Singh’s leadership during these operations was nothing short of legendary. His daring flights, often under the most challenging conditions, were instrumental in turning the tide of the conflict. As India continues to face challenges in the region, the lessons of those early days, and the heroism of men like Meher Singh, remain as relevant as ever.
