Dir campaign

{{Short description|1959–60 conflict in Pakistan}} {{More citations needed|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox military conflict | conflict = Dir campaign | partof = '''Dir conflict''' and Pakistan-Afghanistan skirmishes | image = | caption = | date = 1959–1960 | place = Dir state | result = Pakistani/Opposition victory * Overthrow of Nawab Jahan Khan | combatant1 = {{flag|Pakistan}} {{Clear}} {{bulletlist |{{flagicon image|Flag of the State of Dir 2.svg|border=}} Dir opposition }} ---- '''Supported by:''' 23px Swat state | combatant2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of the State of Dir 2.svg|border=}} Dir state {{bulletlist |Jandol }} | units1 = {{army|Pakistan}} * 17px SSG | units2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of the State of Dir 2.svg|border=}} Dir Militia | commander1 = {{flagicon|Pakistan}} Mirza Aslam Beg {{flagicon|Pakistan}} A. O. Mitha {{flagicon|Pakistan}} Nishat Ahmed {{flagicon|Pakistan}} S.M. Naeem {{flagicon|Pakistan}} Fakhr-e-Alam {{flagicon image|Flag of the State of Dir 2.svg|border=}} Sharrif Khan {{flagicon image|Flag of the State of Dir 2.svg|border=}} Khosru Khan {{flagicon image|Flag of the State of Dir 2.svg|border=}} Rakhman Gul | commander2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of the State of Dir 2.svg|border=}} Jahan Khan {{nowrap|Shahabuddin Khan}} | casualties1 = Unknown | casualties2 = Unknown | campaignbox = {{campaignbox Afghanistan-Pakistan border skirmishes}} }}

The '''Dir campaign''' of 1959-1960 refers to a conflict that took place in the Dir state in northern Pakistan. It was originally an insurrection by locals against the rule of Nawab Jahan Khan that led to the death of 200 soldiers of the Nawab and an unknown number of locals. Afghan tribesmen and lashkars crossed the border into Pakistan to assist the Nawab. This insurrection antagonized Pakistan, which tried to end the conflict by negotiating the resignation of Nawab but no settlement was reached. The Nawab was then overthrown in action of the Pakistan Army, which forced the Afghan lashkars to withdraw.

==Background== On 8 Feb 1948, Dir acceded to the newly created Muslim dominion of Pakistan, initially continuing as one of the surviving princely states of Pakistan. The politics of the late Nawabs are described as reactionary and harsh.<ref name = "dirbeauty"/><ref>''Jinnah Papers The states: Historical and Policy Perspectives and Accession to Pakistan'', First series volume VIII, Editor: Z.H.Zaidi, Quaid-i-Azam Papers Project, Government of Pakistan 2003 Pg xvii.</ref>

==State violence and underdevelopment== It was reported by Fosco Maraini in 1959 during an expedition towards Hindu-Kush, reported the opinion of the people that the Nawab Jahan Khan (who was about 64 years old at that time) was a tyrannical leader, denying his subjects any freedom of speech and instruction, governing the land with a number of henchmen, and seizing for his harem any girl or woman he wanted. Maraini also noticed the lack of schools, sewers, and paved roads, and the presence of just a rudimentary newly built hospital. The Nawab was negatively compared to the Wali of Swat, whose liberal politics allowed his state to enter into the modern era.<ref name ="maraini">{{cite book |last1=Maraini |first1=Fosco |title=Where four worlds meet: Hindu Kush, 1959 |year=1965 |publisher=Hamish Hamilton |location=London }}</ref>

==Civilian uprising== As a consequence, uprisings began eventually to explode. A repressed revolt in 1959 was reported by Maraini's.<ref name ="maraini"/> Another insurrection in 1960 led to the death of 200 soldiers and put the Nawab in a bad light in the view of the press. Pakistani government put heavy pressure on the Nawab Jahan Khan to resign but no diplomatic success was reached.

==Afghan infiltration== In September 1960, Afghan tribesmen and some regular troops under civilian cover entered the area of Dir as part of the wider Bajaur Campaign to help Nawab Jahan Khan against the Pakistan-backed opposition.<ref name=Afghan/><ref name=PKFP/> The Afghan lashkars were forced to withdraw and this proved to be the ''casus belli'' for the Pakistani government to launch the operation for the overthrow of Nawab.<ref name=Afghan>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oAzACwAAQBAJ&dq=Afghan+incursion+Dir+1961&pg=PA1858|title=Afghan infiltration into Dir|isbn=978-1-317-18459-1 |last1=Qassem |first1=Ahmad Shayeq |date=16 March 2016 |publisher=Routledge }}</ref><ref name=PKFP>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Dbc5AQAAIAAJ|title=Pakistan, it's ideology, it's foreign policy |last1=Hussain |first1=Arif |date=1966 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WEllcRGb1NEC&q=Afghan+incursion+Dir+1961|title=Events in 1960-61|date=1962 }}</ref>

==Pakistan military operation== In October 1960, Two companies of the SSG covertly in Scouts uniform launched an operation to overthrow the Nawab Jahan Khan and his son Khan of Jandool.<ref name="Pakistan">{{cite web|last1=Amin|first1=A.H.|title=Remembering Our Warriors: Brig. Shamim Yasin Manto|url=http://www.defencejournal.com/2002/february/manto.htm|website=www.defencejournal.com|publisher=Defence Journal Shamim|access-date=19 September 2017|location=Karachi|language=en-pk|date=February 2002|archive-date=3 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503043659/http://www.defencejournal.com/2002/february/manto.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name = "War, Exile">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KCAlDwAAQBAJ&dq=Dir+princely+state&pg=PA66|title=War, Exile and the Music of Afghanistan|isbn=978-1-315-46692-7 |last1=Baily |first1=John |date=September 2016 |publisher=Taylor & Francis }}</ref><ref name=Fighting>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jjaTAwAAQBAJ&dq=Dir+princely+state&pg=PA131|title=Fighting to the End, Pakistan army's way of fighting}}</ref>

First SSG company operated from Chitral under the command of Mirza Aslam Beg Commanded SSG alongside Shariff Force commanded by Brig M. Shariff.<ref name="Pakistan"/> They launched an assault on the town of Dir with the aim of overthinking Nawab Jahan Khan. Maj. Nishat Ahmed, Capt. S.M. Naeem and Lt. Fakhre Alam also participated in this operation. The overthrow was bloodless.<ref name="Pakistan"/>

The second SSG company, commanded by Maj. Aslam Beg, operated in the area of Munda Killa alongside Rakhman Gul Force . Its aim was to capture Khan of Jandool. Lt Col. A O Mitha were part of this company.<ref name="Pakistan"/> They transported the Nawab and his son in to Risalpur via air.<ref name="Pakistan"/>

All the weapons of nawab were confiscated and constitutional government was established. Nawab shah Khesrao khan was recognised as the Nawab of Dir.<ref name="dirroyalfamily.blogspot.ae"/> The SSG personnel remained in the area for a month.<ref name="Pakistan"/><ref name=Fighting/><ref name = "War, Exile"/>

==Exile of Nawab== General Yahya decided to exile Jahan Khan, who would die in 1968. His throne passed in October 1961 to his eldest son, Mohammad Shah Khosru Khan, educated in India and a serving Major General of the Pakistan Army. However, the effective rule of Dir was taken by the Pakistani government's Political Agent.

==Aftermath== A few years later, on 28 July 1969, the Dir state was incorporated into Pakistan, ceasing its political existence.<ref name = "dirbeauty">{{cite web| url=http://www.dirbeauty.webs.com/| title=Welcome To Dir State| author=Syed Ziafat Ali| access-date=2013-08-13}}</ref> The royal status of the Nawabs was abolished in 1972, at the same time as most other princes of Pakistan.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} <ref name="dirroyalfamily.blogspot.ae">{{cite web | url=http://dirroyalfamily.blogspot.ae/p/history.html | title=Dir Royal Family[Akhun khel]: History }}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:Military campaigns involving Pakistan Category:Afghanistan–Pakistan relations Category:20th century in North-West Frontier Province Category:Military history of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Category:Conflicts in 1959 Category:Conflicts in 1960 Category:1959 in Pakistan Category:1960 in Pakistan Category:1960 in Afghanistan Category:Military campaigns involving Afghanistan Category:Coups d'état in Pakistan