Martyr of Kashmir: Maqbool Sherwani

In October 1947, at the tender age of nineteen, Maqbool Sherwani emerged as a saviour, preventing Pakistan's invasion and safeguarding India. Little is known about the events in the Kashmir Valley during that time, making the story of Maqbool Sherwani a seldom-recalled chapter in history.

Maqbool Sherwani | Source: Wikipedia

Born to Mohammad Abdullah Sherwani in Kashmir, Maqbool Sherwani hailed from a family deeply involved in local politics. His father, the owner of a small soap factory in Baramulla, was an active member of Kashmir’s politics and associated with the National Conference led by Sheikh Abdullah. In 1939, Maqbool joined the National Conference, immersing himself in the works of influential figures like Faiz, Mazrooh, Nadim, and Sahir, developing an attitude of religious tolerance and advocating for peaceful coexistence.

During the tumultuous period of 1947, when the fate of Kashmir hung in the balance, Sherwani found himself facing a dilemma. The Maharaja Hari Singh was uncertain about aligning with India or Pakistan, and the situation led to the first Kashmir War initiated by Pashtun Kabaili tribesmen.

In a courageous act, Sherwani, at the age of nineteen, single-handedly manoeuvred an operation to trick the Pakistani Army, disguised as raiders. He misled them by providing incorrect directions when they inquired about the route to the Srinagar Airport. This delay allowed the Indian Army to assess the situation and prepare for the impending attack.

On 22nd October, Sherwani, on a bike, guided the attackers in the wrong direction, claiming that the Indian Army had reached Srinagar, diverting them away from the intended region. The attackers, believing this misinformation, were stalled, providing the Indian Army, particularly the Sikh Regiment, enough time to reach Kashmir.

“Infantry Day is celebrated every year to commemorate the landing of the 1st Battalion of the SIKH Regiment at Srinagar airfield on 27 Oct 1947 to protect the people of Jammu & Kashmir from the nefarious designs of Pakistani Kabaili Raiders aided by the Pakistan Army." (Ministry of Defence)

While Sherwani successfully outsmarted the attackers, his bravery came at a tragic cost—his life. Shot dead once the attackers discovered the ruse, Sherwani's body was subjected to further humiliation as it was nailed to a cross and left hanging for several days. The subsequent Battle of Shalateng saw 700 attackers killed by the Indian Army, solidifying Sherwani’s commendable contribution to the war of 1947.

Colonel Harwant Singh, who fought in the Battle of Shalateng, praised Sherwani's bravery in protecting the sovereignty of the nation. To honour his sacrifice, the Army's 19th Division constructed a community hall in Maqbool Sherwani's name, a lasting tribute to a courageous martyr.