Field Marshal Cariappa, then a General, was concerned about the build up of the tribal force in the North West of Kashmir, at a place called Tithwal. He felt it was necessary that Tithwal must be captured with all speed and the tribes to be driven out. The operation was called “Operation: Tuti–Phuti”.
General Thimmaiah was Commanding 19th Division in Kashmir. He was given the task of capturing Tithwal. The operation started as planned and went off well, until the capture of an important feature called Nastachur Pass. Cariappa got daily reports from 19th Division. While the force to capture Tithwal was moving westwards to Tithwal, Cariappa got an operations message from the 19th Division Commander, for immediate attention, to say that the opposition of the enemy was stiffening, so our troops could not advance further. They wanted the Army Commander’s permission to withdraw to the pass. Cariappa felt very angry about this and sent an immediate reply to say “If you cannot advance further, I will find another Commander for the task. The operation will continue as ordered”, and soon after Tithwal was captured.
Later after retirement, the General met an officer from Army Headquarters in Bangalore who was on the staff of 19th Division in 1948. He told the General about the Operation “Tuti-Phuti”. He said in fact there had been no opposition at all, as reported in that special message from General Thimmaiah and that the signal had been sent to General Thimmaiah directly from Army Headquarters, who then sent this message to “Kipper”.
Some years later when General Cariappa asked Thimmaiah about the reasons for sending that signal. Thimmaiah told him that as the thing had happened long back, he could not remember much about it. Anyhow he did say that something like that message did come.
Gleaned from Major K C Praval’s records. Major Praval was hosted by General Cariappa at his house in Madikeri, from 6th to 12th January, 1979. We have edited the sentences to improve readability.
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