TRARKHAL [AJK]: The Indian Army has suffered one of its worst set-backs in Kashmir in the Mendhar Valley. Indian troops, who announced with great ballyhoo their entry into the Mendhar Valley, are fleeing towards Rajouri. The Indian troops had sustained heavy losses in order to achieve a link-up between Jammu and Poonch through the Mendhar Valley. They have been out-manoeuvred and have been forced to abandon the valley. Some of the struggling troops who had been marooned in the valley are being mopped up by Azad troops.

The retreating Indian troops are leaving a trail of destruction and desolation behind them. They have [set fire to] the few remaining villages on their way and have thus completed the work of destruction started by them. Many mosques have been desecrated and burnt down.

Azad troops are engaged in quelling the fire started by Indian troops and in restoring normal activity to the once smiling Mendhar Valley, which is reputed to be the granary of Poonch.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2023