Every October, we remember a big fight in Jammu and Kashmir. On October 22, 1947, Pakistani tribesmen came like thieves to loot and take over. They killed people, burned homes, and wanted to grab Srinagar. But brave locals stopped them. Men like Maqbool Sherwani gave their lives to save their land. Today, we must honor these forgotten heroes who kept the looters away.
The attack was planned by Pakistan. They sent thousands of armed tribesmen with guns and promises of easy money. They hit Muzaffarabad first, then Baramulla on October 26. In Baramulla, they killed doctors, nuns, and families. They broke into homes and took everything. Their goal was Srinagar airport—to make Kashmir theirs forever.
But Maqbool Sherwani said no. He was a 19-year-old boy from Baramulla, full of fire for a united India. When the tribesmen asked for the road to Srinagar, he tricked them. He took them on long, wrong paths on his bicycle. He said, “Indian army is already here. The short road has bombs.” For three days, he wasted their time. This gave the Indian Army time to fly in and save Srinagar on October 27.
When the tribesmen found out, they were angry. They tied Sherwani to a post, hammered nails in his hands, and shot him 14 times on November 7. Before dying, he shouted, “Hindu-Muslim-Sikh unity lives forever!” His trick saved Kashmir. Today, there is a hall named after him in Baramulla, but many people don’t know his story.
Sherwani was not alone. Brigadier Rajinder Singh, a tough army man, fought in Uri. On October 22, he got orders: “Fight till your last bullet.” With just 200 men, he stopped thousands. He blew up a bridge and fought for four days. He died on October 26, but his fight gave time for Kashmir to join India. He was India’s first brave award winner. A tower in Uri remembers him.
Many others helped too. Local men and women hid people, carried food, and fought back. In Poonch and other places, simple soldiers held their ground. Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs stood together against the looters.
The Indian Army came fast. They pushed back the tribesmen and freed towns like Baramulla. But many died. These heroes’ blood kept Kashmir with India.
Today, we forget them too easily. Schools don’t teach about Sherwani’s bicycle trick. Movies don’t show Brigadier Singh’s fight. But in Kashmir, people still remember. Last year, they held events to honor them.
To Maqbool Sherwani, Brigadier Rajinder Singh, and all unknown heroes: Thank you. You gave your lives to stop the looters. You kept our Kashmir safe. We salute you. India is proud. Jai Hind. Kashmir is ours.
