Page 37 - Leadership in the Indian Army

at Udhampur, under Shrinagesh, to command all operations in Jammu and
Kashmir.
Cariappa experienced some of his finest moments during the Kashmir

operations. Operation Kipper, which successfully captured Naushera and
Jhangar, was planned by him. This was followed by Operation Easy for the
link-up with Punch, and Operation Bison for the capture of Zojila, Dras and
Kargil. Had he been given additional troops and the necessary permission,
he would have succeeded in pushing the Pakistanis out of Kashmir, plans
for which had already been made. Unfortunately, this did not come about
due to the intervention by the United Nations after an appeal from India.

Characteristically, Nehru took the decision to appeal to the UN Security
Council without consulting the armed forces.
India’s report to the UN Security Council was lodged on 1 June 1948
under Article 35 of the UN Charter. On 15 June, Pakistan replied to the UN,
denying that she was aiding the raiders. After several meetings, the Security
Council adopted a resolution on 21 April 1948, calling for a ceasefire, a

plebiscite and the appointment of a commission. Both India and Pakistan
rejected the resolution, but agreed to receive the commission. The United
Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) was then formed. The
UNCIP adopted a resolution, asking both countries to agree to a ceasefire
and conclude a truce agreement for further consultations for a plebiscite.
India accepted the resolution, while Pakistan refused.
On 6 July 1948, Army HQ issued instructions that no major operations

were to be undertaken without its sanction. Cariappa was told to
concentrate on stabilising the existing positions and not expect any
additional troops as none could be spared, given the Hyderabad operations
and overall situation in the country. Cariappa protested that such a
defensive policy would be harmful, since the enemy was on the offensive in
Tithwal, Punch and Hajipir pass. There was a threat to Leh, and if it fell,

Kargil could not be reinforced, posing a serious threat to the Kashmir
valley. He pleaded for permission to continue the offensive operations for
the capture of Kargil, Domel and Mirpur, and asked for two additional
brigades. With great reluctance, he was granted permission but only for the
advance to Kargil, and allotted a brigade for the task. To make matters
worse, the Indian Air Force was forbidden to attack installations near the
border, to avoid receiving adverse reports from the UNCIP.