Captain Pritam Singh: Poonch's Defender in Year-Long 1947-48 Siege

• Captain Pritam Singh defended Poonch during a 12-month siege in 1947-48, preventing the collapse of India's western flank.
• Upon his arrival in November 1947, Poonch was encircled by tribal lashkar attacks, with thousands of civilians fleeing and limited resources.
• Singh reorganized defenses, fortified the town, and led the resistance against continuous assaults, enduring critical shortages.
• An airbridge by the Royal Indian Air Force became Poonch's sole lifeline, supplying essentials and evacuating civilians under fire.
• The siege was lifted in November 1948 by "Operation Easy," a coordinated military effort, after a year of relentless defense by soldiers and civilians.

Why It Matters: Poonch's defense prevented a strategic collapse, shaping the 1947-48 war and current borders.