Sulman Badshah
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The Chitral Bodyguards most noteworthy accomplishments were during the Kashmir War of 1947-48. Under the terms of instrument of accession, signed by Mehtar Muzaffar ul-Mulk, Chitral State would continue to maintain an armed force, thus Chitral was in a position to take the Gilgit Agency away from Kashmir. Following the revolt of the Gilgit Scouts, the Mehtar sent his Bodyguard, under the command of Burhan-ud-Din, to secure Gilgit town and reinforce the Gilgit Scouts in the Astore Sector.In August 1948, the Gilgit Scouts had been conducting the Siege of Skardu for several months but had been unable to take the Dogra Garrison within the fortress of Kharpoche (Skardu Fort), because they lacked artillery. In August a 400 strong force of the Chitral Bodyguard, under Mata ul-Mulk, arrived in Skardu, backed by four light Mountain Guns. The Gilgit Scouts left Skardu and pushed on into Ladakh, while the Bodyguard, with the help of artillery, took the Kharpoche Fort within weeks.
When Muslims soldiers of 6 Jammu and Kashmir State Forces defected and killed Sikh soldiers, Major Sher Jung Thapa, stationed at Leh, was promoted as Lieut. Colonel and asked to proceed to Skardu for its defence. On reaching Skardu on 3 December, he realised that his position was untenable and immediately sought permission to withdraw the garrison and the civil administration to Kargil and also requested reinforcements. The request for withdrawal was turned down and he was asked "to hold to last man and last round". Thus began the defence of Skardu.
The Indian forces, along with the non-Muslim civil population of Skardu, withdrew into the Skardu Fort where they were besieged. The volunteers from Chitral were entrusted with the siege.
Meanwhile, Srinagar, under the control of the Indian Army, assembled 3 successive Skardu relief columns, but they were not successful in reaching Skardu. With Gilgit under Pakistan’s control, the besieging forces appeared on their way to take control of Skardu and the entire region leading to Kargil and Leh. However, Skardu had become the stumbling block. In the face of ineffective relief, including air dropping of ammunition, it was a matter of time before the end neared. By mid-August 1948, the Skardu garrison was in beggarly shape. On 14 August 1948, outnumbered five to one, and with the last box of the reserve ammunition used, the garrison surrendered.
When Muslims soldiers of 6 Jammu and Kashmir State Forces defected and killed Sikh soldiers, Major Sher Jung Thapa, stationed at Leh, was promoted as Lieut. Colonel and asked to proceed to Skardu for its defence. On reaching Skardu on 3 December, he realised that his position was untenable and immediately sought permission to withdraw the garrison and the civil administration to Kargil and also requested reinforcements. The request for withdrawal was turned down and he was asked "to hold to last man and last round". Thus began the defence of Skardu.
The Indian forces, along with the non-Muslim civil population of Skardu, withdrew into the Skardu Fort where they were besieged. The volunteers from Chitral were entrusted with the siege.
Meanwhile, Srinagar, under the control of the Indian Army, assembled 3 successive Skardu relief columns, but they were not successful in reaching Skardu. With Gilgit under Pakistan’s control, the besieging forces appeared on their way to take control of Skardu and the entire region leading to Kargil and Leh. However, Skardu had become the stumbling block. In the face of ineffective relief, including air dropping of ammunition, it was a matter of time before the end neared. By mid-August 1948, the Skardu garrison was in beggarly shape. On 14 August 1948, outnumbered five to one, and with the last box of the reserve ammunition used, the garrison surrendered.
