Major Sloan in Kashmir
Major Sloan in Kashmir
(Story of a British officer serving with the Pakistan Army, killed in action during
the Kashmir Liberation War, 1947-48)
By Dr. Ahmad Ali
Sacrificing one’s life for one’s country is
a great contribution, but doing so, in the line of
duty, for a foreign land, is an even greater act
of valour. Major Alan
MacFarlane Sloan is
one such unique hero
who rendered services
not only to the British
Indian Army, but later Engineering Officer Training School (now institute) Roorkee
(Source: en.wikipedia.org)
to the Pakistan Army as
well. He laid down his (EOTS) Roorkee, for specialised training in the
life while performing field of engineering. In Roorkee, he also learnt
his duty during the to speak Urdu.5 It was pre-requisite for a British
Alan MacFarlane Sloan Kashmir Liberation War, officer to learn any local language, for getting a
(Source: Author) 1947-48. commission. After completing his course in June
1945, he was given general emergency commission
Early Life as a second lieutenant
in Royal Engineers, and
Major Alan MacFarlane Sloan was born
posted to King George
on 20 April 19251 at Beckenham, in a well-
th
known English family. His father Mr. Cuthbert V’s Own Bengal Sappers
Sloan was a practising lawyer2, living in Kent and Miners Group of the
(a county in south-eastern England). After Indian Engineers.6 After
completing his education from school in Kent, promotion as captain, Sloan
Sloan joined the Royal Corps of Engineers of the was posted as second-
Emblem of King George’s
British Army, in February 1943.3 in-command, 68 Field Own Sappers and Miners
Engineers Company, in (Source: ebay.com)
Postings, Courses and Operations– March 1947.7
India (1944-1947)
Joining Pakistan Army and Kashmir
In June 1944, he was transferred to Liberation War, 1947-48
India, where he remained attached with various
formations and units.4 In October 1945, he As per the Partition Plan of 3rd June
joined Engineering Officer Training School 1947, the Indian Sub-continent was divided
1 GRO CertNo: BXCJ 326101.
2 Bachelor of Laws, Honours and Higher Degrees: External Students, 161-163.
3 Mod Gov.UK Ref No: D/APC/HD/77546.
4 Ibid.
5 Ibid.
6 Ibid.
7 Ibid.
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into two independent dominions i.e. India and stop the Indian invasion. Field Marshal (FM) Sir
Pakistan, on August 14, 1947. Resultantly, all Claude Auchinleck, then Commander-in-Chief
assets including armed forces, were divided of British Indian Army, had made it clear to
between the two newly independent states. This Pakistan, that in case of war with India, British
is how the Pakistan Army was born out of the officers would leave.
old British Indian Army.
In May 1948, Indian 163 Brigade
At independence, there was an acute launched an offensive in Tithwal sector, posing
shortage of officers in Pakistan Army. Against a threat to Muzaffarabad. 10
the estimated requirement of 4,000 officers, only Brigade of Pakistan Army
2500 were actually available.8 It was decided that under Brigadier Haji Iftikhar
this deficiency of officers would be overcome by Ahmad, was tasked to stop
retaining willing British officers in the Pakistan the Indian advance, and
Army.9 The high command defend Muzaffarabad at all
of British Indian Army costs.13 Due to hilly terrain
Brigadier Haji Iftikhar
was approached for this and water crossings in the Ahmad
purpose. Resultantly, 474 area, the role of engineer (Source: thefridaytimes.com)
British officers including, units had become very important. The Pakistani
Captain Alan MacFarlane brigade had two engineer companies, namely, 2
Sloan, volunteered to and 71 Field Companies Engineers, under the
Cap badge of Pakistan
serve in Pakistan Army for command of Major Tufail Ahmad and Major
Army Corps of Engineers
(Source: wikimili.com) nearly one year.10 Sloan respectively.14 Tithwal sector had a very
important mountain feature called Chunj which
Captain Sloan could not join Pakistan
Army in August 1947 due to illness. After
recovery, he came to Pakistan and joined 71
Field Company of Pakistan Army Engineers, on
18 October 1947.11 Sloan was promoted major
in November 1947.12 It was a time when the war
had begun over the disputed
region of Jammu & Kashmir.
Indian troops were airlifted
to Srinagar on October 27,
1947. As the build-up of Chunj feature (Source: AIMH)
Indian forces in Jammu and
Kashmir continued, Pakistan consists of two formidable hills i.e. Point 7229
FM Sir Claude
Auchinleck
Army units were hurriedly and Point 9444.15 Point 9444 was the highest
(Source: royal-irish.com) organised, and rushed to and most dominating feature of the area, and its
8 Maj Gen Fazal Muqeem Khan, the Story of the Pakistan Army (Dacca: Oxford University Press, 1963), 222.
9 In August 1948, there were 405 British officers in Pakistan Army, and 227 in Indian Army.
Alastair Lamb, Incomplete Partition (Hertingfordbury: Roxford Books, 1997), 241–242.
10 Khan, the Story of the Pakistan Army, 223.
11 Mod Gov.UK Ref No: D/APC/HD/77546.
12 Ibid.
13 Historical Section, GS Branch GHQ, The Kashmir Campaign 1947-48 (Rawalpindi: Historical Section, 1970), 143.
14 Ibid, 144.
15 Ibid, 145.
28 | Volume IV
Major Sloan in Kashmir
Map: Chunj operation in Tithwal sector (1947-48 war) (Source: AIMH)
capture was necessary to evict the enemy. 4/16 was re-assembled in two days.17 After achieving
Punjab (now 17 Punjab Regiment) was tasked to this mission, 71 Field Company started
capture Chunj feature general area (Point 9444). construction work on other tracks beside the
Pakistan Army desperately needed artillery river, and cleared mines laid by the Indians.
support at point 9444. It was decided to move
a 3.7” howitzer gun Shehzadi to point 944416 Major Sloan was a courageous officer. He
after dismantling it, due to lack of availability himself was leading his men during the mine
of a proper route. 71 Field Company Engineers, clearing operation.18 While giving instructions
under the command of Major Sloan, worked to his men, Major Sloan slipped from a steep
day and night, and made the track fit for mules, slope, and fell on a tripwire, which detonated a
upto 25 miles from Muzaffarabad. With the mine. Major Sloan received multiple and severe
help of a sling and pulley, the dismantled gun injuries, which proved to be fatal. He died
and ammunition boxes were pulled across the in the line of duty, on 10 July 1948.19 Another
Kishanganga (Neelam River), at Ghori. Shehzadi Pakistani soldier, Lance Naik Aman Khan
16 Ibid, 145.
17 History of Corps of Engineers Pakistan Army (Rawalpindi: The Army Press,1989), 24.
18 Ibid.
19 Ibid.
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also got martyrdom in the same accident.20 will be remembered for his valour and sacrifice
The body of Major A.M. Sloan was taken to for Pakistan. He remains the only British officer,
Abbottabad and buried at the British Cemetery to die in action, for Pakistan. May Allah bless
Abbottabad, with full military honours.21 He his soul.
Sketch showing track made by Major Sloan’s company from Muzaffarabad Grave of Major Sloan in Abbottabad
to Chunj feature (inset: Chunj peak, artillery gun Shehzadi) (Source: Author)
(Source: Author)
Editor’s Note
• Dr Ahmad Ali visited Abbottabad Christian Cemetery and saw the grave of Major Alan MacFarlane Sloan.
About the author
Dr. Ahmad Ali is a psychiatrist by profession, and a research specialist. He contributes for military
history magazines.
“The best way out is always through.”
(Robert Frost)
20 Historical Section, GS Branch GHQ, The Kashmir Campaign 1947-48 (Rawalpindi: Historical Section, 1970), 159.
21 Ibid.
30 | Volume IV
