Poonch Rajouri Link Up 1948
Despite the resistance created by the Opposing Forces, both Rajouri and Poonch Columns kept advancing steadily. They finally met at the rendezvous and formed into a Bde under Brig Pritam Singh. As planning for the intended attack was underway, 30 very young Dogra girls mostly pregnant, some in advanced stages, appeared suddenly. They were weeping loudly. They complained to the Bde Comdr that Muslims of the area grabbed them from their parents through intimidation and kept them in their houses against their will. They were often beaten and gang raped mercilessly. As Indian troops arrived, the Muslims ran away from their houses, leaving the girls behind. The girls found an opportunity to escape from the captivity and came running to our Column for help. They repeatedly begged the Bde Comdr for reunification with their parents.
Humane Logistics
The Dogra girls created a huge problem for the Bde Comdr. Their reunification with parents was out of question. The Bde Comdr, therefore, decided to evacuate them to Poonch, from where they could be flown by normal Dakota service to Delhi for further necessary resettlement. Under orders from the Bde Comdr a small patch of land was levelled up along side a Stream for a small aircraft to land. A small single engined two seater aircraft called Harvard was retained at Poonch for emergency use. The Bde Comdr ordered the use of that aircraft for evacuation of the girls to Poonch. The Harvard Pilot made three trips and managed to evacuate six girls.
IAF Dakota
Shortly after that, a Dakota started circling over our location. On seeing that, Brig Pritam Singh who was sitting next to me, asked me to order the Dakota Pilot to go away as we did not want him. I got in touch with the Pilot on RT and passed the Comdr’s orders, which he acknowledged immediately. Nevertheless, the Dakota kept circling and started descending by reducing the speed. The Pilot soon landed the Dakota at the levelled ground. He then got out came uphill to meet the Bde Comdr.
Pilot Reprimanded
Brig Pritam Singh was furious at the Pilot for disobedience of his orders. He threatened to take his belt off and put him under arrest. He was so angry with the pilot that he continued with his abusive slurs and outbursts in Punjabi. He said that the Dakota now has to be written off. He asked the pilot if he possessed enough money to pay the cost of the Dakota? The Pilot kept mum, listening very attentively to each of the Bde Comdr’s harsh and unpleasant words with his eyes fixed to the ground.
Permission Granted
When anger of the Bde Comdr subsided somewhat, the Pilot requested his permission to say a few words. On receiving the Comdr’s permission, he said "Sir, I have a family. In case the Dakota crashes while taking off from here, I too shall die and my family too shall suffer. That is the last thing I would like to happen. I have very long service in the Indian Air Force and a lot of experience in flying Dakotas. In case I had the slightest doubt in my mind about taking off, I would never have decided to land. Sir, Please trust me and permit me to take all the remaining girls to Delhi in the Dakota. I am positive that I shall succeed in this mission".
Rescue Mission
After careful consideration , the Bde Comdr agreed to his request. The girls were loaded in the Dakota and the Pilot took a detailed look around surrounding hills. He found a saddle between two hill- tops and decided to fly the Dakota above that saddle. He warmed up the aircraft engine for a long while. As soon as the Dakota got into motion, the Pilot put it into the ’Flying Gear’ and buzzed off through the saddle, leaving us all anxiously waiting and praying for his success. As soon as the Dakota flew past the saddle, the Pilot reported “All Clear“ on the RT. I passed his message to the Bde Comdr who took a sigh of relief. It was later learnt that the Pilot in question was appropriately decorated for this extraordinary deed of bravery in rescuing all the deserted Dogra Women.
Pritam of Poonch by Lt Gen Harwant singh
History Dogra Rule
Lt Col Pritam Singh Jauhal (Retd)
Founding President Indian Ex- Servicemen Society British Columbia
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