SDLP 111: Week 5

[Hadi Abdullah]

This week, I came studied about the Hurs. The first Saint of Pagaro or Pir Pagaro declared his people to be "Hurs" or Free from the British in 1868. The Hurs, residing in the desert areas along the Indo-Pak border are a fiercely independent tribe. Their strategically important location, warrior-like culture and understanding of the desert proved pivotal during the war of 1965. Facing a major shortage of troops as most of them were being deployed up north in the Kashmir and Sialkot sector, the Pakistan Army turned to locals for help. They asked Pir Pagaro for help. The Pir called on his followers who answered the call. 65,000 Hurs joined the Pakistan Army and were absolutely pivotal in blunting enemy advances into Pakistan. Even though they were lightly armed and trained, their knowledge of the desert improved useful. They went on to capture famous Kishanghar Fort that is 500 km inside enemy Territory.