Raiders in Kashmir: Story of the Kashmir War, 1947-48

by Akbar Khan

A narrative of the 1947-1948 Indo-Pakistan conflict, by a retired Pakistani General.

Genres: Pakistan, History

215 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Varun Bhakay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A difficult book to get one's hands on.

For the uninitiated, Maj. Gen. (then Brig.) Akbar Khan, DSO was the Pakistan Army pointsman for the Invasion of Kashmir back in 1947, coordinating efforts to aid and abet the tribesmen who stormed the state. He also commanded a brigade in the region when the Pakistan Army "officially" began operations in the war.

The book is a mixed bag - a treasure trove for someone who wants to understand just how the Pakistanis came to occupy part of Kashmir, but also spewing venom every now and then.

Gen. Akbar does a good job of painting a picture of the Pakistani scheme of things around the time of Partition, though his involvement - and that of the Pakistani leadership - in Kashmir pre-dated Partition, with plans to invade having been hatched months in advance.

He steps out in great detail the manner in which the tribesmen - known as "Razakars" - swept through the state, almost reaching Srinagar. The book is thus damaging to his own nation because of the clear-cut evidence it provides of Pakistani meddling in an issue they had no business getting involved in,

Strangely for a professional soldier, but not at all surprisingly for a Pakistani, Gen. Akbar shows precious little regard for the enemy which, by the time the second edition of Raiders released, had defeated Pakistan in a war not once, not twice, but thrice. He repeats over and over again the fact that India is a country of a multitude of religions and communities and cultures and this is why it isn't a match for the purity of Pakistan. This, as well as his not-so-smooth hushing-up of the Rape of Baramulla make parts of Gen. Akbar's account suspect.

A worthwhile book all the same for anyone trying to grasp the complex political problems that have plagued the subcontinent for three quarters of a century now.

[Puneet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want to read this book

[Aflatoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sit on the side of my bed now, it's about 2 O'Clock in the night after I finished reading this book that my younger brother gave me, who doesn't even read books, who got it from my uncle and all I can think about now is
"Could it all have been different?"
"Could we have been free today?"
What if the tribesmen didn't come? What are the chances we could've been free. How would it feel to be free man. How would it feel to have a country to stand by and call my own.
I can't describe how I feel when i think that all of this could've been different had the tribesmen not stopped at Baramulla and came directly to Srinagar. Would we be under Pakistani rule still?
Aside all of these feelings this book is a genuine unbiased story from a man who not only witnessed the War first hand but was the center of the War. The book was published months before his death, was one of the last things he gave us, but certainly one of the most important.
From desribing the situation and tension before the invasion and going all through the plans made, how it was kept unofiicial, the corruption of pakistanis in their own war. This describes it perfectly and in a very concise manner. Although i might say that towards the end it just rambles on and on about historic war instances which feel nothing more than fillers for the book, this is to be expected by a man of his stature and experience who has devoted his life to studying war and serving in it.
Also, the fact that this book was written by such a high ranking Pakistani Military Official is amazing and how he exposes the corruption, laziness, dumbness and inaction of the Pakistani Leadership and how it delivers blow after blow to the series of decisions made the pakistani government.
This little passage summarises the author's take on Pakistan's approach to the situation at hand and it's handling of being an independent nation in general which is especially true today!

Need one wonder what would've been more useful to Pakistan today 5 million trained men, even if
only armed with crude indigeneous weapons, or the golden beggar's bowl that we have constantly
to keep holding before others.

By not taking just the one right step for the liberation of Kashmir, our leaders let themselves
be dominated by fear. Fear made them sell our precious freedom for money, comforts and
weapons. It led to borrowings beyond our capacity ever to pay back. It led to the rise of ruthless
industrial exploiters in the country. It led to the closure of trade and normal goings ans comings
between Pakistan and India, to the loss of the ordinary people on both sides. It bought foreign
agents and interference into the entire fabric of our national life. Every decision, every change of
government, every political, economic or social issue in the country became a ground for foreign
intrigue and manipulations.

[SRIKANTH REDDY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome

[Rumit Sharma]

I want to read this book.... If anyone of you have the soft copy ... Kindly please mail it to me @ (rumitsharma1988@gmail.com).

Thanks is advance.

[Kishan · Rating 3 out of 5]

"....we have ruled them for eight centuries..."
This is how the author thinks.
No wonder they keep losing wars and then lost half the country.

[Bushra Hassan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Total waste of time, it's nothing more than yada yada yada of hallucinating mind.