Kashmir Raiders Launch Daylight Attack

Northern Advocate, 7 January 1948, Page 5

Kashmir Raiders Launch Daylight Attack

NEW DELHI, Tue. (10.30 a.m.)—The Indian _ Ministry oi Defence stated that 4000 steel-helmeted raiders, using artillery, mortars and machine-guns, made the first major daylight attack on Indian Army positions, south of Punch, since operations began in Kashmir 10 weeks ago, Reuters reports.

Spitfires and Tempests of the Royal Indian Air Force helped Indian infantrv repulse the attacks. At least 200 raiders were killed. -Free Kashmir" forces have apparently seized the initiative in the Kashmir "fighting. The raiders’ attack was made near Naoshera, a township 50 miles noitli west of Jammu ciiy. Naoshera is now the Indian Atmj s most forward position in western Jammu. All Indian airlines have been warned that their planes may be requisitioned. Chartered planes are averaging M landings a day at Jammu with Gurkha reinforcements, howitzers and barbed wire.

The Pakistan Government cabled to the Secretary-General of the United Nations (Mr Trygve Lie) asking for a postponement of the Security Council debate on the Indian request for consideration of the Kashmir situation. The message said that Pakistan had not yet deciphered the Indian case sent to the council; also that the Foreign Minister (Sir Zafrullali Khan) would be delayed in reaching New York because of his attending the Eurmese independence celebrations. A mob attacked a Sikh temple in which 250 Sikh men, women and children were quartered after evacuation from Upper Sind, slaughtered 70. and then set the temple on fire, says Reuters Karachi correspondent. Armed police were rushed to the scene to restore order.