1/66 Major Malik Munawar Khan Awan, GK, SJ یہ غی یہ تیے پس بنے جنہیں تو نے بش ھے و خئ و نیم کی ٹھوکسے صحوی سٹ کپہڑ کی ہیت سےئ If War 1965 is taken as a match between India & Pakistan Major Munawar was rightly “The MAN OF Research & Analysis by Maj (R) Imtiaz Awan THE MATCH” [email protected] Cell # +92300-9715258 2/66 famous quote: “A historian ought to be exact, sincere and impartial; free from passion, unbiased by interest, fear, resentment or affection; and faithful to the truth, which is the mother of history, preserver of great actions, the enemy of oblivion, the witness of the past and the direction of the future”. A true picture of history can only be seen if history is just compiled and not created. It is a story of extra ordinary chivalry, velour, gallantry, superb planning, bold execution, dedication to cause, Dynamic Leadership and miraculous achievements, which ended in open / historical injustice and dishonesty .(It is an extract of various books and articles written by Indian and Pakistani authors ; mostly available on Internet ,& interviews of Kashmeeri immigrants/participants of operation Gibraltar Indo-Pak War 1965.) An account of achievements of Pakistan Army’s guerrilla officer Major Munawar Khan who captured about 2000 square miles (Gen Mehmud and few other authors believe it was 500 square miles) of Indian Held Kashmir,(Rajouri , Poonch and Budhil Regions) taught unforgettable lessons to Indian Security Forces and established his own Government. He appointed his own DC, SP and Judges. He was ordered by the GHQ to come back after UN mandated Cease Fire but he protested against the orders .He stood as a Hero amongst the war heroes of Indo-Pak armies during war 1965. But contents of this story were kept secret for many decades due to secrecy policy of the Government of Pakistan. 1. HIS EARLY LIFE: Allah Almighty blessed Malik Muqarab Khan a farmer of village Jhatla Tehsil Talagang, District Attock British India (Now Chakwal) with a son. It was 24th Jan 1921, while Malik Muqarab Khan was working in his fields with oxen, 3/66 received this good news. He rushed towards his home in excitement to see the new born. The new born was named as Munawar Khan (later to be known as Malik Munawar Khan Awan). He studied in village Jhatla and Talagang. Besides his studies he was very fond of playing kabbadi, hockey and horse/camel riding. As a young agile boy, he was spotted by a British officer winning an athletics race that Munawar had entered on the spur of the moment and was nurtured by the British for a role in the army. His career had begun in the British Indian Army. He was among those captured and made prisoner of war by Japanese forces at Singapur while his Regiment was trying to defend Rangoon in World War II. He learned the Japanese language while incarcerated and his fluency brought him to the attention of his captors. They moved him out of the prison camp and enlisted him in the Imperial Japanese Army, where he received special training. When the Indian National Army, led by Subhas Chandra Bose, was formed in 1942, Munawar joined its fight for India’s independence from British rule. Where as a Captain Munawar commanded 2nd INAs 1st Guerrilla Battalion of 2nd Guerrilla Brigade under command Colonel Inayat Kiani. During famous Battle of Imphal he led the Battalion and fought fiercely against Allied Forces. Later he was captured by the Allied forces and faced a Munawar as INA officer trial for treason at the end of World War2 and was put in Multan Jail.(“An attempt to defame Nehru” by G Ramachandram & Muslim Contributions to India’s Freedom Struggle – and A Different Narrative by Professor Nazeer Ahmed). While in the jail a Hindu billionaire’s daughter fell in love with Munawar Khan and would visit him in jail daily carrying along a bouquet of flowers. “Marry me,” she said to him one day. “I can’t”, he replied. “Why?”, she asked. “Because you’re a Hindu and I am a Muslim”, he said. “I will convert”, she replied. “You’re a billionaire’s daughter and I am the son of a poor father”, he said. “Never mind, I’ll serve you and your family happily”. The young beautiful girl dared Munawar to escape from jail and come for dinner at her father’s home to prove his bravado. “Munawar took up the challenge. In the evening, the jail superintendent made a final round. Munawar grabbed him and knocked him out when he reached his cell. He quickly changed into his uniform and confidently walked out of the prison to sit in the superintendent’s waiting car. It was dark and Munawar’s cap covered his face. He ordered the driver to take him to the billionaire’s home where the young lady and her family were speechless. Of course on his return to the prison, he was given the third degree and thrown into a solitary cell to be court martialled.” (Dawn News, The 20-watt fountain of energy by Anjum Niaz - Published Apr 21, 2013) 4/66 Soon after the above incident his luck rescued him. Munawar was freed, along with other INA prisoners, when the Partition of India occurred. Here while he was in jail Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah and Liaquat Ali Khan visited him and offered him to join the Pakistan Army. Being a court martial case Munawar could not be re-inducted in Pakistan army’s regular units, therefore he was offered to join Azad Kashmir Regular Force. He accepted the offer and as a formality was sent to Officers Training School Kohat for few months. He then joined a Battalion of Azad Kashmir Regular Force (AKRF), which later became 21st Battalion of The Azad Kashmir Regiment. He fought 1948 Kashmir war against India. While serving in Poonch sector as a Lieutenant he won the AJKs 2nd highest non-operational award “Ghazi-e-Kashmir” which is admissible for outstanding and meritorious services. (History of the Azad Kashmir Regimnt, Vol-1). His subordinates and friends used to say that Munawar was hardy and bold and quite unaccustomed to the fear, he feared none but ALLAH. As a Muslim he had very strong faith in ALLAH Almighty and was a true lover of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and Hazrat Ali (RA).He loved them to the extent of madness. Recitation of Surah-e-Muzamil from the Holy Quran, early in the morning and before going to bed at night was his daily routine. He was very fond of recitation of Darood-e-Pak and mediation of names of ALLAH and he continued with the same routine during war and peace. Capt Munawar under going Tactical & Weapons courses at SI&T Quetta 5/66 In early 1964 Munawar’s wife told him that she had dreamt about him that he was fighting against Indian Army in INDIAN HELD KASHMIR and defeated the Indians. Munawar laughed it out but after a month or so a messenger sent by Peer Barkatullah, a saint and a spiritual friend of Munawar from Neelam valley’s village Dawarian, contacted him at Tatta Pani AK and told him to meet the saint as soon as possible. In April 1964 he visited Peer Barkatullah and surprisingly he told him that there was a prophecy for him “be ready for raising KALMA-E-HAQ in INDIAN HELD KASHMIR”. Munawar was astonished and said there were no chances of war in the near future, how could he do the needful in INDIAN HELD KASHMIR? But he said that he had dreamt the same and he should believe him it was going to happen. Munawar then asked the saint, if it was so than you pray I should embrace shahadat in this Jihad-e- Fisabeelillah. (Pray that I should embrace martyrdom in the way of Allah) “No you will return unbeatable and successful” the saint replied. 2. Selection for Operation GIBRALTAR In May 1965 as a Major he was selected to undergo special training for Operation Gibraltar behind enemy lines in Indian Held Kashmir. This operation included Salahuddin; Tariq; Babur; Qasim; Khalid; Nusrat; Kundeshah; Sikander; Khilji; Ghaznavi Forces and the Headquarters. He was appointed as GHAZNAVI Force Commander. He himself trained the officers and other ranks of GHAZNAVI force at Dungi, Khuiratta AK, and later in the end of July 1965, led them to Indian Held Kashmir for guerrilla operations. 6/66 Major Munawar Khan being GHAZNAVI force commander had 5 Infantry companies and a section of SSG under his command. Companies were commanded by the following officers: 1. Capt Maqsood Hussain Shah 2. Capt Sher Ahmed 3. Capt Khursheed Ahmed 4. Capt Ghulam Hussain 5. Lt Khadim Hussain 6. N/Sub Mehrban Khan (SSG Section Commander) Unfortunately, out of 10 forces of Gibraltar Operation, all except GHAZNAVI Force, failed to accomplish their missions. ZONES OF OPERATIONS Handwara Zone Wullar Zojila Northern Zone Baramula Srinagar Gulmarg Bedori Srinagar Zone Punch Budil Zone Naushera – Rajauri Budil Rajauri Zone Ramban Naushera Riasi Jammu Zone 4 7/66 Name of Force Area of operation Name of Force Area of operation Salahudin Srinagar Valley Qasim Bandipura- Sonarwain Naushaera, Mendhar, Ghaznavi (Initial Khalid Qazinag-Naugam Employment ) Rajouri, Thanamandi, Budhil and Riasi Ghaznavi after (Bihmbar Gali, Naushaera, merger of Nusrat Mendhar, Poonch, Mandi, elements & Rajouri, Thanamandi, stragglers of other Budhil and Riasi) forces in the vicinity Babar Nowshera-Sundarbani Nusrat (14 Groups) Tithwal-Tangdhar Tariq Kargil – Drass Sikandar Gurais Kunde Shah Hillan – Nil Kanth Gali Khilji Kel-Minimarg Detail of Employment - GIBRALTAR Forces: 8/66 14 NUSRAT GROUPS OPERATION GIBRALTAR 12 DIV Def AJK Sec DESIGN OF OPERATIONS 3.