How Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) Came into Existence: From Tribal Invasion to the Line of Control

PoK History: Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir’s history is deeply rooted in forceful occupation and the complexities of international politics. Newstrack Network

History of PoK

The Kashmir dispute is the oldest and most complex conflict in the Indian subcontinent, impacting not only India and Pakistan but also global politics. Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) forms a crucial and controversial part of this dispute. Kashmir’s unique geographical location, religious diversity, and political disagreements between the two nations have made it a center of continuous conflict. After the Partition of India in 1947, Pakistan seized control of this region, which India considers an illegal and unauthorized occupation. In this article, we delve into the formation, historical background, and current status of PoK.

Introduction to Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK)

Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) refers to the region located in the northern part of Indian Kashmir, currently under Pakistan’s control. It is a disputed territory between India and Pakistan, formed in 1947 after the end of British rule in the Indian subcontinent and the creation of India and Pakistan. PoK’s existence is the result of a series of historical events and conflicts, which continue to fuel tensions between the two countries.

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Situation of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947

When the British granted independence to India in 1947, two nations were created—India and Pakistan. The 562 princely states were given the option to join either India or Pakistan or remain independent. Jammu and Kashmir was a prominent princely state, with a Muslim-majority population but ruled by a Hindu Maharaja, Hari Singh. Maharaja Hari Singh initially wished to remain independent and neither accede to India nor Pakistan. This indecision laid the groundwork for a major crisis, which soon escalated into a full-scale conflict.

Pakistan’s Conspiracy

Pakistan feared that Kashmir, with its Muslim majority, either merging with India or staying independent would go against its interests. Thus, in August 1947, under the leadership of Major General Akbar Khan, “Operation Gulmarg” was secretly planned. Pakistani forces clandestinely armed Pashtun tribal militias and provided logistical support. On 22 October 1947, 22 tribal groups were assembled in Abbottabad and launched an attack on northern Kashmir, including Muzaffarabad. Pakistan’s finance minister Ghulam Muhammad facilitated financial aid of three lakh rupees for the operation. The attackers committed widespread atrocities — looting, rape, and mass killings — with around 35,000 to 40,000 innocent civilians killed. Their main aim was to capture Srinagar Airport and spread terror across Kashmir. Indian forces countered the attack, leading to Kashmir’s formal accession to India and the emergence of the Line of Control (LoC). Although Pakistan officially denied involvement, American analyst Shuja Nawaz, Sardar Shaukat Hayat Khan’s book “The Nation That Lost Its Soul,” and reports from the European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) confirmed Pakistan’s direct role. EFSAS termed this invasion as the first major assault on Kashmiri identity.

Maharaja Hari Singh’s Appeal to India

On 24 October 1947, facing a full-fledged invasion by Pakistani-backed tribal raiders, Maharaja Hari Singh sought military assistance from India. India, however, made it clear that it could only intervene if Jammu and Kashmir formally acceded to India. On 25 October, Maharaja Hari Singh met Indian representative V.P. Menon in Jammu and offered the Instrument of Accession. On 26 October 1947, the Maharaja officially signed the Instrument of Accession, making Jammu and Kashmir an integral part of India. India swiftly airlifted troops to Srinagar, securing the airport and repelling the invaders.

Indian Army’s Intervention

Following the formal accession on 26 October 1947, the Indian Army was immediately airlifted to Srinagar. Securing Srinagar Airport was critical, as its loss would have handed over the Kashmir Valley to Pakistan. Under the leadership of Major Somnath Sharma, Indian troops blocked the advance of the tribal invaders at key locations like Badgam. Between October and November 1947, the Indian Army liberated Baramulla and Uri from the invaders. Due to harsh winter conditions and difficult terrain, the conflict dragged into 1948. The military intervention allowed India to retain control over Kashmir Valley, Jammu, and Ladakh, while Pakistan occupied a portion now known as PoK.

Involvement of Pakistani Military

When tribal forces failed to make significant gains, Pakistan deployed its regular army, transforming the situation from a tribal raid into a direct war between two nations.

Role of the United Nations

In January 1948, India lodged a complaint with the United Nations, exposing Pakistan’s direct military support to the tribal raiders. The UN Security Council passed Resolution 47 on 21 April 1948, calling for a ceasefire, withdrawal of Pakistani forces and tribesmen, and a plebiscite thereafter. A ceasefire was declared on 1 January 1949, leading to the establishment of the Ceasefire Line, later known as the Line of Control (LoC). Post-ceasefire, Pakistan retained control over about 35% of the region (western Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan), while India held about 65% including the Kashmir Valley, Srinagar, Jammu, and Ladakh.

Ceasefire Line and Line of Control

After the 1949 ceasefire, a Ceasefire Line was drawn to separate the territories under Indian and Pakistani control. Following the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the Simla Agreement of 1972 formally renamed the Ceasefire Line as the Line of Control (LoC), establishing it as the agreed-upon boundary between the two countries in Jammu and Kashmir. Internationally, the UN recognized the 1949 Ceasefire Line, and post-Simla Agreement, the LoC became a bilateral arrangement.

Geography of PoK

PoK is divided into two administrative units:

• Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)
• Gilgit-Baltistan

The total area of PoK is approximately 85,793 square kilometers:

• Gilgit-Baltistan covers around 72,971 sq km.
• Azad Kashmir covers around 13,297 sq km.

Geographically, PoK borders:

• East: India’s Ladakh region
• West: Pakistan’s Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
• North: Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor
• Northeast: China’s Xinjiang province

PoK’s strategic location makes it geopolitically sensitive, lying at the crossroads of India, Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan.

Current Situation of PoK

Pakistan has labeled the region as “Azad Jammu and Kashmir” (AJK), though real power lies in Islamabad. AJK’s local government has control over matters like health and education, but defense, foreign policy, and communications remain under Pakistan’s federal control. Gilgit-Baltistan is administered separately under Pakistan’s direct federal control. Previously referred to as “Northern Areas” until 2009, Pakistan declared it a semi-autonomous province and announced provincial status in 2020, a move India condemned as illegal. Local governance remains largely symbolic under Pakistan’s tight control.

India’s Stance

India maintains that PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan are integral parts of India and regards any Pakistani administrative changes as violations of international law. India asserts that Kashmir’s future should be determined through a plebiscite under UNSC Resolution 47—not by unilateral Pakistani actions. Additionally, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), passing through Gilgit-Baltistan, has been strongly opposed by India, citing sovereignty violations. In 1994, the Indian Parliament unanimously passed a resolution affirming that PoK is an inseparable part of India and must be reunited with it.

A Part Handed Over to China

In 1963, Pakistan ceded approximately 1,900 square miles of Gilgit-Baltistan territory to China under a border agreement. This allowed China to build the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), linking its Xinjiang province with Pakistani ports. During the 1962 Indo-China war, China also occupied parts of India’s Ladakh region (Aksai Chin). China’s and Pakistan’s growing activities in Gilgit-Baltistan have caused considerable local resentment, often suppressed by Pakistan’s military and ISI.

Recent Developments

• In 2019, India abrogated Article 370, revoking Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and bifurcating it into two Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh have reiterated that the next objective is to reclaim PoK.
• The CPEC route through Gilgit-Baltistan remains a major point of contention between India, Pakistan, and China.

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