Khan Muhammad Khan (Urdu: خان محمد خان) (April 25, 1912 – June 1995) commonly known as Khan of Mong, was a Captain in the British Indian Army during the World War II. After demobilisation, he served as a rebel leader during the First Kashmir War. He is credited with the capture of Mirpur,even though the real action was carried out by Pakistan's PAVO Cavalry..[1][2] He was also allegedly involved with the Rawalpindi Conspiracy and the Poonch Uprising.
Khan Muhammad Khan | |
|---|---|
خان محمد خان | |
 | |
| Born | 25 April 1919 |
| Died | 11 June 1995 (aged 76) |
| Other names | Khan of Mong |
| Citizenship | Azad Jammu and Kashmir (post-1947) Jammu Kashmir (pre-1947) |
| Occupation(s) | Soldier and guerrilla leader |
| Known for | Leading the Mirpur front during the 1947 War of Independence (AJ&K) |
| Family | Sudhan |
Biography edit
Khan Muhammad Khan was born in April 25, 1919 in Mong, in the Poonch District of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, in British India, to Alam Sher Khan, a local dignitary. He joined the British Indian Army and received his commission in 1938. He was with Fusiliers for 18 months and served as a King's Commissioned Indian Officer for 2 years. He participated in World War II and was posted to 3rd Battalion of 1st Punjab Regiment in the Middle East and Italy.[3]
Khan took part in the First Kashmir War as a rebel leader. He was active in the Mirpur sector. He led the Mirpur campaign and later raised the 24 Azad Kashmir Battalion (Khan) of the Azad Kashmir Regiment.[1]
According to his personal memoirs, during the 1955 Poonch uprising against the state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Khan of Mong was involved in the rallying of support for the movement. He fled to Indian-administered Kashmir and was later accused by Pakistan Government of being a double agent, attempting to gather resources and ammunition to instigate a movement against the state. Upon return from India, he was imprisoned by Pakistan in Haripur District for 10 years.
References edit
- ^ a b Regimental History Cell History of the Azad Kashmir Regiment, Volume 1 (1947-1949), Azad Kashmir Regimental Centre, NLC Printers, Rawalpindi,1997
- ^ Effendi, Col. M. Y. (2007), Punjab Cavalry: Evolution, Role, Organisation and Tactical Doctrine 11 Cavalry, Frontier Force, 1849-1971, Karachi: Oxford University Press, pp. 157–160, ISBN 978-0-19-547203-5
- ^ "War Office: British Forces, Middle East: War Diaries, Second World War. PAIFORCE. INDIAN INFANTRY". National Archive War Diaries. WO 169/22363.