Thursday, May 20, 2010

Azad Kashmir

and the tribal areas feared that Hari Singh might join the Indian Union. In Oct 1947, supported by the Pakistani army, they attacked Kashmir. Initially Hari Singh tried to resist their progress but failed. Then he requested the Indian Union for help. India on the other hand sent troops to Kashmir after the accession papers were signed..The fighting between the two countries ended after a cease fire agreement under the supervision of UN in 1949.
Pakistan in the mean time occupied some portions of Kashmir, which was administered by Pakistan in two ways.
1. Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)- the narrow southern part 250 meters long and 10-40 miles width,
2. Gilgit-Baltistan formerly called Federally Administered Northern Area (FANA)- is the much larger area to the north of AJK. It was directly administered by Pakistan as a de facto dependent  i.e., a non-self-governing territory. However it was officially given full autonomy on Aug 2009.