15011949 --140 Text of the Minutes of the Inter-Dominion Commanders in-Chief Conference held at Army Headquarters, India, on 15 January 1949 (UN Document No. S/AC. 12/MA 3)
15011949 --140 Text of the Minutes of the Inter-Dominion Commanders in-Chief Conference held at Army Headquarters, India, on 15 January 1949 (UN Document No. S/AC. 12/MA 3)
Present:
India General K.M. Cariappa, O.B.E.. Commander in-Chief, Indian Army; Lieutenant General S.M. Shrinagesh, G.O.C.-in-C., Western Command; Major General Kalwant Singh, Chief of the General Staff.
Observer: Lieutenant-General D. Russell, C.B, C.BE, D.S.O., M.C. Adviser General Staff, India.
Pakistan: General Sir Douglas Gracey, K.C.I.E., CB, C.B.E., M.C., Commander-in-Chief, Pakistan Army; Brigadier M. Sher Khan, M.C., Director, Military Operations.
Secretaries: Lieutenant-Colonel S.P. Kapila, M.C., Military Assistant to C.-in-C., Indian Army; Lieutenant Colonel A.J. Wilson, M.B.E., M.C., G.S.O., 1 (C.-in-C. and COS. Sectt.), G.H.Q., Pakistan.
In attendance for item 4: Lieutenant-General M. Delvoie, Military Adviser to UNCIP.
1. INTRODUCTORY
Opening the conference, Commander-in-Chief, Indian Army, said this was his first big job on assuming his new appointment. The conference was merely of an exploratory nature except in so far as part I of the United Nations. The Commission for India and Pakistan resolution was concerned. It was hoped that as a result of the conference it would be possible for the two Commanders-in-Chief to submit mutually agreed recommendations in respect of part Il to their respective Governments. After referring to the terms of the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan resolution Commander-in-Chief, Indian Army, said that India had already withdrawn one squadron of the ROAD and orders had already been issued regarding thinning out Indian Army troops from the forward areas. Commander-in-Chief, Pakistan Army, after emphasizing that so far as Pakistan was concerned, discussions on part II of the resolution were also of an exploratory nature, and stated that Pakistan had also begun to withdraw.
2. DECISIONS REACHED BY THE CONFERENCE
A. In respect of part I of UNCIP resolution
(i) It was agreed that the cease-fire in Jammu and Kashmir should be advanced from an informal to a formal basis.
(ii) It was agreed that the following action should be taken. in order to further the satisfactory implementation of the cease-fire:
(a) The local commanders in the area Chhota Qazinag, Richmargali and Marol were authorized to make any slight adjustments in their dispositions to which they might mutually agree in order to avoid minor incidents. If the local commander did not consider adjustment necessary, or were unable to reach agreement, they I would remain in their present positions.
(b) Pakistan Army required the use of the road Mirpur Jhangar-Kotli for the maintenance of their troops. Similarly, the Indian Army required the use of the road Poonch-Uri for the same purpose. It was agreed that the local commanders should confer for the purpose of reaching mutual agreement on a satisfactory method of achieving these two objects.
B. In respect of part II of UNCIP resolution
It was agreed that the following proposals for the implementation of part II of the UNCIP resolution should be referred by the Commanders-in Chief for approval to their respective Governments:
(₁) In order to create an atmosphere in which it will be possible for UNCIP to proceed with part III of their resolution, the suggested plan is that :
(a) All raiders should be withdrawn as soon as possible from the State of Jammu and Kashmir. (b) The Azad Kashmir forces should be relieved in the
forward areas by Pakistan regular forces and concentrated in the rear areas. Pakistan nationals in the Azad Kashmir forces would then be withdrawn from the State of Jammu and Kashmir. At the same time Pakistan Army would adjust their disposition so that only the barest minimum of regular troops stationed on the
© existing cease-fire line, the bulk being withdrawn. It was agreed that both the Indian and Pakistan Armies would give all facilities to the UNCIP required for the establishment of observer teams in the area of Jammu and Kashmir. It was suggested that observer groups should be formed consisting of neutral observers appointed by UNCIP, each with one Indian and one Pakistani officer.
(d) Regarding withdrawal of the Pakistan Army, see UNCIP resolution part II, paragraph B 1.
3. Commander in-Chief, Pakistan Army, strongly recommended that, in order to ensure without question that the spirit of the UNCIP resolution part II is carried out, the following should also be agreed to by the Indian Government:
(a) From those members of the present Azad forces who were nationals of Jammu and Kashmir State a Civil Armed Force should be formed as directed by the UNCIP for the purpose of maintaining law and order in the area at present occupied by Pakistan troops and Azad Kashmir forces; the Civil Armed Force to be under the control of the UNCIP, and that a small Pakistan Army nucleus should be appointed to supervise the training and organization of this Force and to ensure compliance with the orders of UNCIP. The nucleus of regular Pakistan Army personnel should be withdrawn when UNCIP was satisfied with the organization of the Civil Armed Forces.
(b) That when the Civil Armed Force has been satisfactorily organized this force would be stationed as directed by the UNCIP for the purpose of maintaining law and order. When this Force was ready to assume its duties. the Pakistan screen of regular troops mentioned in paragraph B (i) (b) above would be withdrawn.
C-in-C Indian Army undertook to bring this recommendation to the notice of the Government of India.
4. Communication of Decisions to Lieutenant-General M. Delvoie, Military Adviser, UNCIP
Lieutenant-General M. Delvoie then entered the conference and Commander-in-Chief, Indian Army, explained the decisions and recommendations which had been agreed. He emphasized that this information was being communicated to General Delvoie at this stage for information only. General Delvoie thanked the Conference for informing him of their decisions and recommendations. and communicated his satisfaction at the agreements which had been reached.
5. EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS
It was decided that all prisoners of war should be exchanged as soon as it was possible. Commander-in-Chief, Pakistan Army, will exchange Regular and State Force troops. man for man for similar Pakistan troops and Azad forces in Indian Army hands. When all raiders and Pathans who were at present in civil custody in India were ready to be exchanged, the remainder of the Indian Regular and State Force. troops in Attock camp will be exchanged for them. There will be no question of man for man in this last exchange. DMO Pakistan pointed out that owing to climatic conditions. it would not be possible at this juncture to repatriate prisoners of war at present in Gilgit and at Skardu. Pakistan Army, however, undertook to make the best arrangements it could to make these prisoners comfortable until it was possible to repatriate them to India.
6. RETURN OF ABDUCTED WOMEN
Commander-in-Chief, Indian Army, raised the question of the return of abducted women (of service personnel) and said that already eight or ten had been sent back by the Indian Army to Pakistan. Commander-in-Chief, Pakistan Army, said that orders had been issued and he would inform Commander-in-Chief, Indian Army, of progress. He asked the Commander-in-Chief, Indian Army, to let him have details of individual cases. DMO Pakistan pointed out the difficulty. of obtaining the return of women who had been abducted by tribesmen and asked the Commander-in-Chief, Indian Army, to bear this in mind..
7. MAINTENANCE OF DETACHMENTS IN THE KISHANGANGA AREA
The Indian Army agreed to permit the maintenance of the Azad element in the Kishanganga Valley (Gurais sector) by air because of the detachments being cut off by snow.
8. REPORTED CASES OF BURNING OF VILLAGES
IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR
India agreed to make arrangements for Pakistan observers to fly in light aircraft over areas where the burning of villages was alleged in order to see for themselves the true state of affairs.
(Signed) A. J. Wilson (Signed) S. P. Kapila
Lieutenant-Colonel Lieutenant-Colonel
- Military Assistant to
- in C. and C.O.S. Sectt.) C. in C. Indian Army
GHQ Pakistan 15th January 1949
15th January 1949