Jammu Massacre 1947: " A Father killed his daughters to save them from getting raped"

It is one of the least known genocides in the modern history. It was carried out with such a precision that it is difficult to find its traces, except in the memories of the survivors, and the tales of horror they passed on to their next generation. It started on November 6, 1947. Nearly two hundred thousand innocent Muslims were slaughtered by Dogra army and extremists in Jammu region.

The genocide was carried out to cleanse the Muslims from Jammu region. The Dogra troops backed up by the extremists succeeded in pushing half a million Muslims to Pakistan administered Kashmir and Pakistan.

Rashid’s father, brothers, sisters, wife, and a son were slaughtered Malik Abdul Rashid, a survivor from Reasi, currently settled in Rawalpindi, says he was 22-year old when the carnage happened.

“Men, women, children were killed in the cruelest manner, maimed, intimidated. The carnage continued for several days. I lost my father, brothers, sisters, wife, and a son,” Rashid said.
“I lost all my dears; the genocide has haunted me all my life,” he said.

On 4 November 1947, when Dogra troops entered Reasi, two highly esteemed citizens of the town, Khwaja Amkullah and Chaudhary Aziz-u-Din rushed to the office of then Deputy Commissioner Thakur Gavinder Singh, complaining against the entry of the troops when Peace Committees, comprising Hindus and Muslims, were already in place to maintain peace. Both of them were shot dead in the office.
“People were mowed down with machine guns and swords during the night. And those who had survived were assembled in a field where they were put to death. Some women who escaped jumped into Chinab river to save their honour,”Rashid recounts.
“Khwaja Ali Muhammad of Bhadarwah who was performing his duties as a public prosecutor at Reasi went to a police station to save his life, but the duty officer, a Dogra, handed him over to the RSS men. They dragged him out and tortured him so much that he begged them to kill him than torture him. But the barbarians cut his fingers one by one and told him ‘we will send your fingers to Pakistan’. He was killed near the court premises in broad day light,” Rashid said.

Rashid said Maharaja Hari Singh orchestrated the carnage to eliminate Muslims from Jammu.“Muslims were not even allowed to have weapons for self defense, but Maharaja distributed arms to the marauders of his community,” he said, adding the killers were trained and armed in RSS camps for the genocide.
He said that Maharaja Hari Singh who fled from Srinagar to Jammu on 26 October1947 ordered his troops to kill Muslims everywhere.

“The carnage started in remote villages, and many Muslims fled to towns and district headquarters. But the killers were everywhere. Hundreds of Muslims committed suicide to avoid torture,” he said.
The killers kidnapped the daughter of legendary leader Chaudhary Ghulam Abbas, the prominent leader of Muslim Conference. Mistari Ahmed-u-Din hailing from Mast Garh Mohalla of Jammu himself killed his two daughters fearing the Hindu marauders would rape them.

On 4 November Muslims who had escaped slaughter were asked to assemble in a ground near police station in Jammu so that they would be driven to Pakistan in buses. On November 5 and 6, 1947, scores of buses, trucks and lorries, loaded with women, children and old men were taken into the wilderness of Kathua forests where Hindu extremists and armed gangs butchered them like chickens.”

‘MY 3 SISTERS WERE ABDUCTED, TWO WERE RECOVERED, SURAYA IS STILL MISSING’
Another Kashmiri migrant from Jammu, Muhammad Khan Naqashbandi, told Greater Kashmir that his mother was killed and three sisters were abducted by the marauders while they were traveling to Pakistan.
Two of his sisters were recovered, but the youngest sister Suraya was still missing. Teary eyed Khan said,“My sister is still missing and I don’t know whether she is alive or dead. I survived because I was studying in Lahore when the carnage occurred. No Muslim can forget that genocide.”Naqashbandi said the slaughter was well planned and rehearsed to prevent people from acceding to Pakistan. Muslims were slaughtered at Mavera near Samba on November 5 and the next day carnage was carried out near cantonment in Satvari.

‘OUT OF 6000, 250 SURVIVED’
Abdul Qayum Qureshi, a witness of the genocide, hails from Dalpatian Mohalla of Jammu. Qureshi told this scribe that the blood-bath of Muslims in Jammu province had started several weeks ago but the hunt against Muslims intensified when frustrated Maharaja of the state entered into Jammu on 26 October 1947 and ordered his troops to kill Muslims wherever they can be found. Mohalla Dalpatian was a Muslim majority area where thousands of Muslims from other areas had taken shelter.

“There was a big ground where these refugees were camping. Volunteers were guarding them, but everybody lived in a state of fear. The extremists and Dogra soldiers had besieged the area but they did not dare to enter the area. Muslim volunteers led by a former army official Captain Naseer-u-din defended the camp bravely,” Qureshi said.

Qureshi narrated the horrors thus:
“Meanwhile a fresh group of refugees arrived but the ground was full so they were accommodated in an empty Haveli (a mansion). But the killers had taken positions in a trench close to the Haveli. And when people entered the Haveli premises, the killers started indiscriminate firing, but the Muslim volunteers fought back. Then a Dogra official, Chetan Chopra, arrived with the message that he wanted to talk to Captain Naseer-ud-din. Around 4 PM Captain Naseer returned saying the administration has announced a ceasefire and assured that the violators will be punished. The ceasefire continued for seven days but the situation remained tense. On 5 November Muslims were asked to assemble in the police lines Jammu. I remember about 26 trucks and buses were present in the police grounds. People were ordered to board the vehicles so that they could be driven to Pakistan via Sialkot border. The Dogra officials circulated a rumor that these vehicles have reached Pakistan. We had absolutely no idea that they were butchered in the Kuthwa and Samaba forests.

On 6 November a caravan of refuges in buses and trucks was driven towards the border area. I was also part of this caravan. But after half an hour drive the entire caravan was turned towards Bisna. Around 11 AM all of us, about 6000, were dragged out of the buses. Then they fired at us indiscriminately. The bloodbath continued for nearly three hours; like other people I took refuge in a canal. People hid under thorny bushes and wherever they could. At 3 PM the Dogra officials asked the survivors to come out hiding so that they could be driven to safe places. Having no alternative we came out, and fortunately on the directives of Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah we were later shifted to a refugee camp in Jammu. Only 250 had survived. My father was in the Valley and my two brothers were in Mirpur.”

The Massacre is long forgotten and lost in the memories of today. This massacre changed the History of Jammu Kashmir forever.

When NC called for freedom

It was in 1953 the realisation had dawned on Sher-e-Kashmir that the 1947 arrangement was fragile and detested by most of the people. He tried his best to rectify the wrong. He sought for liberation and urged Nehru to leave Jammu Kashmir alone. However, Nehru responded by ordering his arrest


A report released on April 20 at Islamabad says Sher-e-Kashmir favoured armed struggle for liberation of Jammu Kashmir in 1953. The report compiled by noted historian, Shabnam Qayoom is based on the leader’s speech of July 13, 1953 and has been dedicated to Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah. Qayoom believes Omar is different from his grandfather and father and has the gut “to probe all killings since 1990.”

In the above quoted speech, Sher-e-Kashmir said, “These martyrs have prepared us for bigger sacrifices to achieve our freedom and our right of self-determination. If required, our youth would not desist from fighting a liberation war on the lines of Algerian people.”
Sher-e-Kashmir also said, “I regret my mistake of coming in the way of merger with Pakistan. I had fears that they won’t treat me well, but I was wrong. Now I feel backstabbed, I no longer trust Indian rulers, we have different ways now.”

Shabnam’s report stands corroborated by Constituent Assembly member, Abdul Gani Goni’s interview with this scribe during the summer uprising of 2008 at his Barazulla residence.

Goni said: “By 1948 Sheikh Sahib had realised his mistake of supporting state’s accession with India. He had started dreaming of an independent state and expressed it without any reservations. During those fateful days, Moulana Azad visited Kashmir. Sheikh Abdullah delivered a fiery speech at Hazratbal. Azad also wanted to address the people but Sheikh Abdullah sabotaged the move. A humiliated and angry Azad immediately left for New Delhi.

Soon after, Nehru came to tame his friend (Sheikh Abdullah). He was accompanied by his sister and Home Minister Dr Katju. They stayed in the Nehru Guest house. In their presence a meeting of the National Conference working committee was held. The working committee session continued for four days. The meeting discussed some vital issues pertaining to Kashmir. A defiant Sheikh told Nehru in clear terms that he and Kashmiris were not happy with state’s accession to India. He sought an independent state much to Nehru’s annoyance. However, Nehru being a matured politician controlled his anger and urged Sheikh Abdullah to stay patient for some time. He told Nehru: `I and people of Kashmir are not happy with India. Please leave us alone. We want to remain independent.’

Nehru reacted politely. `A park has been named after me in Srinagar. I was under the impression that people from India would come here to enjoy themselves. Anyways, if you want to remain independent, I have no objection. I am going to London for a conference. After I return I will talk to you.’ Nehru did return from London but not to give independence to Kashmir. He had planned to cage the roaring lion of Kashmir.”

This incident has been narrated by Goni in his autobiography Sada-e-Bazgusht on page 54. “Nobody expected Nehru to arrest and dethrone Sheikh Sahib. Soon after the working committee meeting I went to Doda. In Doda I heard about the arrival of a Union Minister Mahavir Tyagi in Srinagar. He was very close to Bakshi. And what happened is history.”

According to Goni, Sher-e-Kashmir behaved and roared like a lion during the NC working committee meeting held in Nehru Guest House as Nehru and the then home minister watched the proceedings. It was during this meeting that Sher-e-Kashmir demanded total liberation of Jammu Kashmir. However, the roar that created a stir in the entire sub-continent did no good to Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah and Kashmir. The caged lion fell from grace slowly but surely. Goni unveiled another side of Sheikh’s personality. Goni was the speaker of legislative assembly in 1975. One day he was informed about Sheikh Sahib’s arrival in the assembly complex. Goni narrated the incident. “I greeted Sheikh Sahib. He was dejected. He said, `Show me my room.’ I informed him no room in the complex was meant for him. I further informed him that only chief minister can have a room in the assembly complex. I was surprised by his answer. `I want to see that very room.’ I was pained to see the lion of Kashmir in such a state of mind. ”

Goni paused for a moment. He was going to share a secret. “Before leaving the assembly complex, Sheikh Sahib said, `I have offered enough sacrifices. I cannot offer more.’ I shook hands with him and watched him leave the complex amid shock and utter disbelief.”

Goni revealed vital details about the constituent assembly members and their stand viz-a-viz accession of Jammu Kashmir to Indian union. “Please do not make these details public during my life time. Further some of the members are still alive. I do not want to embarrass them”, he requested.

Surprisingly Sher-e-Kashmir has not made a mention of his only roar in his Aatish-e-Chinar. He has not mentioned about the working committee meeting as well for unknown reasons.

Kashmir- The Untold And Unread History.

By: Fariq Ahmed

Under the dogra rule kashmir has faced numerous atrocities, 1924 was the first ever revolt at silk factory by kashmiri’s who were only kept under forced labour. In 1930 plinth of “Muslim young association” was formed under Gulam Abaas,who in 1936 made revolutionary step of making “All jammu and kashmir muslim conference” with Sheikh Abullah… So the platform for Muslim conference was laid under Gulam abaas with Sheik Abdullah (who later betrayed), Obviously,it created panic among the leading political parties like Indian National Congress who left no stone unturned to break this unity and at last outshoot of Muslim conference was mad under the name of National conference (with nationalism concept). Thought both these parties initially found for Kashmir cause. When in 1940 pakistan act was accepted, Muslims of J&K tried to affiliate with Pakistan. So this became the political motive of Muslim conference. This led to mass arrest of activists and even exiled from their land. Still in 1947 Muslim conference won 15 seats out of 21, while other 6 were rejected candidates.
It was during World War II that revolution increased day by day even under harsh dogra rule…?”Almighty Allah knows my intensions” Insha Allah m peace loving but i can’t lie about history… Present govt. in j&k is Kashmir govt (i mean Kashmir CM) still killings continue; That too i accept. But i had to start from base….
With the idea of making two independent nations after the end of British rule, it was decided at “chambers of princes” that a state having Muslim majority will go to Pakistan and states with Hindu majority will go to Hindustan. This was already accepted baseline, but it was also mentioned states who match in culture, language, geography should join with respective nation… It was 19th July 1947 when Muslim conference put forth their points to affiliate with Pakistan before the maharaja of Kashmir. In it was written ”Muslim conference has reached to conclusion that according to geographical reality, Proportion of Muslims (80%), link with main rivers of Punjab, culture, economy, language etc Kashmir should get affiliated with Pakistan” But maharaja was playing diplomacy game… Maharaja on one hand was accepting points of Muslim conference but was having silent talks with Hindustan. This was most dangerous plan building for Muslims.
On 15th august 1947 “stand still agreement was made between maharaja and Pakistan which only give Pakistan a temporary position of affiliation. On the other hand maharaja was building links with many terrorist groups like RSS etc to eliminate the majority in Kashmir. September 1947 marked the start of mass genocide of Kashmir Muslims and whosoever was left alive was sent to Pakistan. Girls/women’s were kidnapped and youths were killed in mass. This was what was happening inside Kashmir, Britishers also give a pump to This war by making entry of Hindustan easy through gorda sopore.
Now Muslims realized about the dual nature of maharaja and started to revolt. In this regard poonch was the first area who revolted with weapons in October 1946.This fire slowly spread to entire valley. Maharaja tried to ward off this movement but he got nothing, even west Pakistan came to help and entered poonch. Maharaja tried to hide himself in Jammu. To make his place secure in Jammu, he gave orders of mass killings which counted for lakhs of lives at RS pura border area wich was Muslims majority area. It was turned to muslin minority and Sikhs from Punjab were forced to live there .. As mass killings continued in Jammu, still volunteers from Kashmir and west Pakistan came to rescue and as Maharaja was at brim to extinct. He requested Hindustan for a treaty. Defense commute accepted it in no time and Army landed in Jammu and Kashmir.
From that time till now they are residing In j&k. It should be borne in mind that the treaty was a temporary one only to fight against volunteers. So the fight was between armed, well equipped, trained Hindustan army and unarmed volunteers. Air force was also used and by may 1948 war reached to borders of Pakistan. Pakistan retaliated but was less advanced than Hindustan in terms of arms and ammunition.
This issue was brought under notice of Security council. Hindustan presented the issue in completly different format on 1 Jan 1948, wherein Pakistan complained on 15 Jan 1948. Now war reached from land to council. This was the time when Security council passed some important resolutions for J&K.
After a year of discussion at Security council it was on 13 august 1948 and 25 jan 1949 that cease fire resolution and resolution for being “Kashmir as disputed part” was given……