The Untold Story of Haji Pir Pass: Lessons India Must Learn
The Untold Story of Haji Pir Pass: India’s 60-Year Strategic Blunder
Did India make a historic mistake that continues to bleed it even today? Sixty years ago, India gifted away a critical strategic asset—the Haji Pir Pass—to Pakistan, and today, that very decision still haunts the nation. With recent terror attacks shaking Jammu and Kashmir, many are asking: Is it time for India to reclaim its “Crimea”?
Let’s break this down in an easy-to-follow, story-driven format that uncovers the truth behind one of India’s biggest military and diplomatic blunders.
What Is the Haji Pir Pass and Why Does It Matter?
The Haji Pir Pass is located in the Pir Panjal range at a commanding height of 2,637 meters (8,652 feet). Strategically positioned, it connects Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir to Rawalakot in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and serves as one of the main infiltration routes for terrorists entering Indian territory.
Had India retained this pass, infiltration in Kashmir would have been drastically reduced, and security significantly strengthened. Even from a logistics perspective, the road distance between Poonch and Uri would have dropped from 282 km to just 56 km, enhancing both civilian and military movement.
Before Partition, this route was the lifeline connecting Jammu with the Kashmir Valley. After Pakistan captured the region in 1948, India lost a vital artery—and a strategic advantage.
The 1965 War: How India Captured Haji Pir Pass
In 1965, Pakistan launched Operation Gibraltar to infiltrate thousands of guerrillas into Kashmir. But things didn’t go as planned for Islamabad. Instead of rising up, the local Kashmiri population rejected the intruders. India decided to take the fight to the enemy.
That’s when Operation Bakshi was launched.
Under the bold leadership of Brigadier ZC Bakshi and Major Ranjit Singh Dayal, Indian forces fought an uphill battle—literally. Braving steep terrain, cold rain, and enemy fire, Major Dayal and his team captured Haji Pir Pass on August 28, 1965.
Pakistan tried to retake the pass the very next day but failed. It was a hard-won victory—one that should have turned the tide in India’s favor.
The Tashkent Agreement: Giving Away a Victory
Unfortunately, what India gained on the battlefield, it lost on the negotiation table.
On January 10, 1966, the Tashkent Agreement was signed. India agreed to withdraw to pre-war positions, which meant handing back Haji Pir Pass to Pakistan. Despite holding more than 1,920 sq km of Pakistani territory, including parts of Sialkot and Lahore, India got nothing in return except temporary peace.
As Lt Gen Ranjit Singh Dayal, the hero of Haji Pir, later lamented:
“It was a mistake to hand it back. Our people don’t read maps.”
Three Missed Chances to Set Things Right
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1965 | India captured the pass but returned it under diplomatic pressure. |
| 1971 | After defeating Pakistan and capturing 93,000 PoWs, India still didn’t reclaim Haji Pir. |
| 1999 (Kargil War) | Once again, with momentum on its side, India didn’t press to recover lost strategic ground. |
Even Defense Minister Rajnath Singh recently admitted that not converting battlefield gains into strategic advantages was a serious lapse, saying:
“If Haji Pir was not returned, infiltration routes could have been closed permanently.”
A Haunting Legacy and a Wake-Up Call
India’s decision to return Haji Pir Pass is now seen as a “historic blunder of epic proportions.” Pakistan continues to use this route to fuel terrorism in Kashmir.
This is more than just lost territory. It’s about national security, regional stability, and future deterrence. As Lt Gen D B Shekatkar put it:
“Losing gains of war at the negotiating table becomes a disincentive for future wars.”
Haji Pir: India’s ‘Crimea’?
Just as the Soviet Union gifted Crimea to Ukraine in 1954, India “gifted” Haji Pir to Pakistan in 1966. But when the stakes became too high, Russia reclaimed Crimea in 2014. Many Indians are now drawing parallels, asking whether India should consider a similar move to correct a historical wrong.
Is it time for India to take back what was once rightfully theirs?
The Road Ahead: Is Reclaiming Haji Pir Possible?
Reclaiming Haji Pir is not just about military might—it’s about strategic vision, political will, and national resolve. In the face of repeated cross-border attacks, public sentiment is shifting toward decisive action.
Yes, retaking Haji Pir would carry risks. But continuing to ignore it carries greater costs—in terms of lives lost, terrorism funded, and national morale eroded.
PM Modi’s Strategic Outlook: A New Era of Assertiveness?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership has marked a decisive shift in India’s approach to national security, particularly in response to Pakistan-backed cross-border terrorism. While earlier governments often refrained from military escalations to maintain diplomatic balance, the Modi administration has consistently demonstrated a policy of proactive defense and assertive retaliation. The 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes sent a clear message: India will not hesitate to act when its sovereignty is challenged.
Though PM Modi has not made a direct public statement about reclaiming the Haji Pir Pass, his broader doctrine indicates a significant reassessment of India’s strategic posture. His emphasis on integrated border infrastructure, modernizing armed forces, and revamping military doctrines reflects an intent to correct past mistakes and build long-term deterrence. The government’s move to abrogate Article 370 further signaled a bold departure from the status quo on Jammu & Kashmir.
Public sentiment, shaped by repeated terror attacks and infiltration, is increasingly leaning towards the idea of reclaiming strategically important territories like Haji Pir. In this context, Modi’s leadership is seen as one capable of making historically significant decisions. The question is not just about military capability—but political will—and Modi’s tenure exemplifies both.
Final Thoughts: A Mistake Worth Correcting
India’s decision to return Haji Pir Pass has been a security and diplomatic failure that continues to haunt the nation. With terrorism growing and infiltration routes active, the time has come to revisit this historical decision and take bold steps to secure the nation’s future.
The question is not “can India reclaim Haji Pir?”
The real question is: “How long can India afford not to?”
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