Srinagar, Oct. 22 -- Syed Showket

The history of the invasion of Jammu and Kashmir began on 22 October 1947, when Pashtun tribal raiders entered through the Muzaffarabad sector from the direction of Pakistan in the aftermath of Partition. Maharaja Hari Singh had not yet acceded to either India or Pakistan. The raiders' ruthless behavior within the Maharaja's state transformed this political uncertainty into a military and humanitarian emergency, threatening the security of the state and the future of its people.

North Kashmir's Baramulla and Uri became central locations of the violence inflicted by the raiders. Reports of killings, looting, and attacks on civilians spread fear, while families were displaced, livelihoods were destroyed, ...