Chhamb
Chumb
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|---|---|
Sector
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| چھمب | |
 | |
  Chhamb Show map of Azad Kashmir  Chhamb Show map of Pakistan | |
| Coordinates: 32°50′13″N 74°23′10″E / 32.837°N 74.386°E / 32.837; 74.386 | |
| Country |  Pakistan |
| Autonomous Region | Azad Kashmir |
| District | Bhimber District |
| Tehsil | Barnala |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Pahari-Pothwari Punjabi |
Chhamb (also spelt as Chamb, Chumb, Urdu: چھمب) is an area in the southern tip of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.[1] Here are people from various ethnic groups such as Gujjars, Bakerwals, Paharis, Khokhars, and Mughals. A Baradari system is prevalent throughout the region, and matters are dealt with by family leaders. Hazel coloured eyes are found, as well as brunette, brown hair colour. The inhabitants of this area have strong spiritual beliefs much like the rest of Pakistan and they visit Dargahs regularly.
Pakistan Army has built its infrastructure in Chamb. Most people's language is Pahari-Pothwari and Punjabi. Chumb is also known as Iftikharabad[2] due to Maj General Iftikhar Khan Janjua who played a key role in Chamb liberation. It is divided into two parts South Iftikharabad and North Iftikharabad. There is only one police station (Singry).
Chamb sector was under Indian control until the war of 1971 when the Pakistan Army captured the area. Chamb is the last outpost of Pakistan's Azad Kashmir. Chamb is fertile land and farmlands can be found here.
Chamb came under the Indian side as per the Karachi Agreement.
Pakistani troops had infiltrated into Chamb-Jaurian sector as part of Operation Grand Slam but were soon pushed back by the Indian forces. India opened Lahore Front and soon afterwards Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was started.
Pakistan Army made another attempt to capture this strategically important area and invaded Chamb on the same principles as it invaded in 1965. The reason behind this plan was to deter Indians from attacking the crucial north–south line of communications passing via Gujrat. The fighting around Chamb was intensely fierce and took a toll on both the advancing Pakistani troops and the fiercely resisting Indian regiments, On 9 December 1971, the first Pakistani troops entered the surrounding area around Chamb under the personal supervision of Maj General Iftikhar Khan Janjua.
Memorial of Maj General Iftikhar Khan Janjua is located in Chamb where his helicopter was crashed during the battle. He was immediately evacuated to CMH Kharian but could not survive the wounds and was martyred days before Chamb was liberated. He was honoured with Hilal-e-Jurat.
The Chamb sector had a population of around 10,000 people at the time it was captured. The area became a ghost town as most of its residents fled to India following the Pakistani takeover.[3]
A Boys College (Kherowal) and Girls College (Dingawali), a Boys High School (Porre) and a Girls High School (Punjgran) are located here. The people who belong to the south are Punjabi and the north is mostly Paharis and Gujjars from Rajauri. It is agricultural land. The people are mostly farmers. The origins of the Chackmerry community in Chumb are descendants of early Gujjar settlers who have arrived here from Rajauri in India. Many of these inhabitants are happy to become part of Pakistan as their language and culture is similar to Punjabis in Pakistan.
Chamb sector is located in Barnala tehsil of Bhimber, the southernmost AJK district which runs along the heavily militarised LoC splitting the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir between Pakistan and India.
Divisional Commissioner Raja Amjad Pervaiz said displacements had taken place from Balewal and Khairowal villages of the Chhamb (Iftikharabad) sector of Barnala tehsil.
Chhamb, a comfortable looking town that normally has perhaps 10,000 people, was seized by the Pakistani Army last Tuesday, after fierce fighting on the defensive lines protecting it.
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