LAHORE: Royal Indian Air Force bombed and machine-gunned our positions but with no results, says a communique issued by the Azad Kashmir Government. Mopping up of the Indian and Dogra troops is being vigorously carried out. Some of them have already been captured, the communique adds. The Azad Kashmir troops on entering Kotli were received by about 200 Muslims, who are the only remnants of the Muslim population. It was found that all good stores and cattle had been removed by the retreating Dogra and Indian troops. Some of the Muslim localities had been burnt to ashes.

It was also reported to the Azad Forces Commander that 137 women had been abducted. Food has been rushed from Mirpur and is being distributed to the people. Proceeding, the Press note says: Mirpur is fast returning to normal. With the fall of Kotli, the conquest of Mirpur is almost complete. Local men have been entrusted with the task of running the civil administration. Muslims have returned to the city from the adjoining areas. Most of them have been accommodated in camps and thatched huts as their houses have been burnt by the Indian and Dogra troops. … 4,735 Muslims of Mirpur are missing. — News agencies

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2022