Operation Gulmarg: Pakistan's 1947 Betrayal and India's Fierce Defense of Kashmir

• Just two months post-independence, Pakistan launched 'Operation Gulmarg' on October 22, 1947, invading Jammu and Kashmir with armed tribal fighters.
• Facing imminent collapse, Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession on October 26, 1947, officially merging J&K with India.
• India swiftly launched 'Operation Jack', airlifting troops to Srinagar on October 27, 1947, preventing the capital's fall.
• Key heroes like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Sam Manekshaw, Lt Col Diwan Ranjit Rai, Major Somnath Sharma (Param Vir Chakra), and Brigadier Usman played crucial roles.
• The war ended with a UN-mediated ceasefire on January 1, 1949, securing two-thirds of Kashmir for India, while one-third became PoK.