The Ibex Force of the Gilgit Scouts, led by Major Ehsan, planned an attack on the Tsari outposts along the Indus River.

These outposts had been established by Colonel Sher Jung Thapa as a defensive measure and to warn the Skardu garrison in case of an assault.

[15] The route through the Gilgit-Bunji area to Rondu was of particular concern to state forces, as it posed a significant threat compared to the other three directions, which were protected by the surrounding mountains and ranges.

Following this, Sher Jung Thapa was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and ordered to move to Skardu from Leh on 21 November.

Captain Nek reported this to the local authorities,[17] leading Colonel Thapa to establish outposts at Tsari Pass in the Rondu region to warn the forces stationed at Skardu of a potential attack.

[19] Three hundred civilians, willingly mobilized by the Raja of Rondu, were stationed on both sides of the Indus River at Wasola and Harkoya.

[1] The Raja of Rondu remained in contact through the newly appointed political agent of Gilgit-Baltistan, Wazir Wilayat Ali.

[1] Upon learning of the Ibex Force's arrival, Colonel Thapa dispatched Captain Ganga Singh with two sections of troops toward Rondu, reaching Istak on 4 February.

[10] Shah traced the state troops to their new position by following their footprints, ultimately leading to the surrender of Captain Krishan Singh and his men after they were surrounded.

[22] They attempted to escape, which led to face-to-face combat in which all of the state troops, including Captain Krishan Singh, were killed.

[10] With the fall of Rondu to the Gilgit Scouts, the Muslim soldiers of the Skardu Garrison attempted to free themselves from the control of the state administration.

[23] Unaware of the situation at Tsari or the arrival of the Gilgit Scouts, the state forces were left vulnerable due to the lack of warnings from outposts.

Havildar Sher Muhammad was tasked with gathering all available boats at an accessible location in Skardu and rallying the local Muslim population at Sondus before the assault.

[14]These disparate elements were stiffened and officered by the regulars from Pak Army It speaks volumes for the organizing ability and leadership of these Pak Army officers who wielded together such a heterogeneous group of highly temperamental people into an effective and efficient fighting outfit, making sure that their potential as guerrilla fighters adept at hit and run tactics was retained in its entirety and fully exploited.