1947: Nehru Knew Tribesmen Would Raid in October On September 27, 1947 Nehru wrote to Sardar Patel: “…It is obvious to me from many reports that I have received that the situation there is a dangerous and deteriorating one. The Muslim League in the Punjab and the NWFP are making preparations to enter Kashmir in considerable numbers. The approach of winter is going to cut off Kashmir from the rest of India. The only normal route there is via the Jhelum Valley. The Jammu route can hardly be used during winter and air traffic is also suspended. Therefore it is important that something should be done before these winter conditions set in. This means practically by the end of October or at the least the beginning of November. Indeed air traffic would be difficult even before that…It becomes important that the Maharaja should make friends with the National Conference so that there might be this popular support against Pakistan… Sheikh Abdullah has repeatedly given assurances of wishing to co-operate and of being opposed to Pakistan; also to abide by my advice. I would again add that time is of the essence of the business and things must be done in a way so as to bring about the accession of Kashmir to the Indian Union as rapidly as possible with the co-operation of Sheikh Abdullah.” The letter proves that in September Nehru was aware of the tribal raid.
Posted on: Fri, 27 Sep 2013 01:18:16 +0000