Poonch Uprising

The Poonch Revolt, also translated as the Poonch Uprising, was a Civil revolt in Azad Kashmir against the State of Pakistan. The uprising broke out in 1955. It took 1 year until the uprising was suppressed in 1956.^[1]

Causes

A major cause of the rebellion was the demands of the local people for autonomy in administrative and budgetary affairs^[1]

Military action

A resistance movement seeking a more democratic state of Azad Kashmir was active since September 1950. In 1951 a parallel government was formed in Poonch in retaliation to Pakistan's dismissal of Sardar Muhammad Ibrahim Khan as head of state.^[1] The situation calmed down for some time because of Liaquat Ali Khan's assassination.

When Sardar Ibrahim protested and took the matter up, his government was dismissed. A revolt erupted in Rawalakot and Palandri in the Poonch district as a reaction to this action by the Pakistani State. A military contingent of 120 personnel led by Major Usman was sent in to crush the revolt and arrest its leaders. After an initial skirmish Ibrahim's forces were defeated and disarmed his tribe and under the guidance of Pakistan's then Minister of Kashmir Affairs, Mushtaq Ahmed Gurmani, and the arms were handed over to the government of Pakistan.^[2]

General elections were held in 1952. Sher Ahmed Khan, a Sudhan Poonchi took office as the President. Sardar Abdul Qayyum was also part of the cabinet. However, when after the passing of the Azad Kashmir Rules of Business in October, 1952, all executive power was vested in the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs (Pakistan).^[3] This resulted in the eruption of another armed rebellion in 1955 that was crushed by force by Pakistan Constubulary.

References