K D Maini
Poonch Link-up day is linked with the sentiments and aspirations of Poonchis who on 22nd November 1948 had got relief from twelve months siege of Poonch town. Every year this day is celebrated jointly by the army and Awam as Bada Din (Big Day). This day is also celebrated to remember the courage, bravery and determination of Brigadier Pritam Singh and his Jawans who had not only defended the besieged Poonch town from 21st November 1947 to 22nd November 1948 but also captured all surrounding hill tops and made the defense of Poonch impregnable till Poonch city finally linked up with the rest of country.

Link up day special

17th March 1948 is considered the fateful day when three Brigades of Pakistan army, 2000 rebels of ‘Azad forces’ and 3000 tribal Lashkar had stormed Poonch city from Tetrinote, Chidikote, Kahuta, Khaneter, Jhulass and Madarpur side under the overall command of BrigadierSahad-ud-Din. On that day aggressors were so confident to capture Poonch City that they had brought civil officers headed by a prominent politician GhulamHayderJandalvi for running civil administration after capture of Poonch city.This battle continued for two days around Poonch town. During this operation, Brigadier Pritam Singh remained moving from one post to another in between shelling and firing to encourage the morale of Jawans. Therefore, after severe battle of two days, Pakistan sponsored forces were not in a position to break the defense of Poonch town and thus on 18th March evening Pakistan sponsored forces retreated without any success.More than 3000 dead bodies were counted between Poonch fort and fountain garden while the body of commander Hussain Khan of ‘Azad force’ was recovered near Moti Mehal Poonch. After this crushing defeat Pakistan did not dare to attack on Poonch town during the war 1947-48.
The battle of Poonch continued till November 1948 when final link up of Poonch with rest of country was affected. The Indian forces in the month of October-November 1948 moved from Rajouri towards Poonch under the command of Brigadier Yadav Nath Singh to link Poonch with rest of country via Bhimber Gali, Mendhar and Poonch. On 14th October Pir Badreshvara ridge on the top of Kotli was captured and on 26th October Pir Kelava was snatched from Pakistani forces. Then the road of success was opened towards Poonch town. Therefore on 8th November 1948 Bhimber Gali was captured by Lt.Colonel Jagjeet Singh Arora, on 19th November Pir Topa on the top of Mendhar was stormed and captured. Then Pakistan sponsored forces were at run in Poonch sector.Therefore from Poonch side Lt. Colonel Chanden Singh advanced towards Pir Topa and reached Dhanina Pir. Simultaneously the advancing forces moved from Pir Topaand reached Dhanina Pir on 21st November after hand to hand fighting with Pakistan sponsored forces where Poonch was finally linked up. On 22nd November the victorious forces under the command of Brigadier Yadav Nath Singh, Umrao Singh and Pritam Singh along with a contingent of Jawans entered Poonch town where they were received by the natives of the Poonch by waving hands and shouting slogans ‘Hindustan Zindabad’, ‘Hamari Foj Zindabad’.
The association between Poonch Brigade and Awam of Poonch established during the turmoil of 1947-48 continued with the passage of time and now these associations have been converted into such a friendly relation in which both Army and Awam are helping each other in need.From 1st January 1949, when ceasefire was affected, every year Poonch Link up day is celebrated by Army and Awam with great enthusiasm as ‘Poonch Utsav’, ‘Poonch Mela’, or ‘Poonch Festival’. This year also a number of programs are being organised under the able, effective and people friendly Commander, 93 Infantry BrigadePoonch. These Programs include wreath laying ceremony at Naman Sathal, talent hunt among school children in Nato Auditorium, Musical evening, Jashna-Mosaqi, ex-service man rally and a drama on the events of 1947 under the title of ‘Dastan-e-Poonch’.
As Army and Awam cooperation continues throughout the year, while some important events organized by 93 infantry Brigade for the welfare of Awam are mentioned here.On the request of youth of Poonch town, a big Sadbhavana Hall was constructed by Poonch Brigade in the premises of College ground Poonch. However with the passage of time, this hall was in poor condition and needed proper renovation. Therefore this year Poonch Brigade decided to renovate building for multipurpose indoor sports facilities and cultural shows. The renovation work shall be completed by end of this financial year. Principal Degree College Poonch Jasbir Singh while appreciating the renovation work of this hall by the army also suggested that efforts may be made to convert this hall for multipurpose activities by synthetic matting and wooden stage for indoor games and cultural shows.
Kirni village of Poonch is located exactly on the border, where LOC passes through the heart of the village. Pahari, Gujjar and Bakarwal tribal communities resides in this village. Majority of them still live below the poverty line. The natives depend upon army units for medical facilities. Keeping in view this scenario, army organizes regular medical camps in Kirni and other border villages. This year two such camps were held in this village for the convenience of the patients on 3rd June 2024 and 17 September 2024. In these camps 402 patients were checked up and provided medicines free of costs. Aiaz Ahmed S/o Mushtaq Ahmed Lone Panch ward number 07 of Kirni told that these camps were organized in Primary school in their localities. Such camps in these border villages are beneficial for the tribal community who can not afford such medicines from the market.
Poonch Brigade has established Army Good Will Public School in the village Sawjian during 2010 which touches the LOC. Presently about 200 students from nursery to 5th class are undergoing education with all modern amenities such as computer, library, laboratory, sports, uniforms and books free of cost to students. There is a provision of sending students after fifth class to AGPS Rajouri for further study. Mohd Afzal teacher told that they are thankful to army commander who have recently increased their salaries while Sarpanch Gulwal of nearby Panchayat Gaggrian told that this army school has opened the doors of bright future for the students of this acute border area.
To create sports environment in border sector Poonch, to encourage talent of hockey among the youth and to build team spirit among youth, Poonch Brigade organized Border Battle Hockey Cup tournament on AstroTurf in Higher Secondary Boys Poonch. This tournament was inaugurated on 22nd February 2024 which ended on 26th February 2024. Seven boy’s teams and five girls’ teams of Jammu, Haryana and Punjab apart from Poonch district participated in this tournament. In Girls category KK Hockey club Jammu beat Stadium XI Jammu and got first prize while in Boys category Sonipat team beat Poonch XI and won the trophy. Apart from trophies and hockey sticks signed by Arjun Award holder, cash prize were also distributed among the participants. Shri Pawan Kumar Sharma Physical Education Lecturer told that for the first time such big event organized by Poonch Brigade in collaboration with the Sham Lal Hockey Club Poonch. Mantinder Pal Singh Monty of Baba Banda Singh Bhadur Hockey club also appreciated the contributions of army in boosting the sports activities in Poonch district.
This year a modern Park is being constructed in honor of brave heart martyr Hawaldar Abdul Majid Kirti Chakkkar of border village Ajote Poonch who laid his life for the country while fighting with the terrorist in Kalakote area of District Rajouri on 22nd November 2023.
Once Poonch was known for production of fine quality honey, however with the passage of time honey got reduced tremendously. The Indian army is vigorously working to popularize the honey production in Mandi area by encouraging the interested farmers. This year hundred bottles of fine quality honey of Mandi have been produced by the farmers and market was provided by the army.
The above facts reveal that with the army and Awam cooperation and friendly relations, a congenial and cordial atmosphere is seen near the LOC where the natives are getting moral support, medical and educational help from the army, while the defense forces are also getting the support of local people in need.

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