Azad Kashmir

History of Kashmir after Independence. After the partition the Princely States were given the option to  exist by its own  to go to either side of India or Pakistan.However Hari Singh , the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, wanted to remain independent. But there was a revolution by the Muslims in the western part of the Kingdom and the raiders from the NWFP

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.