The district is the home of the proud "Suddhan" the tribe which was the first to take up arms against the Dogra rule, and docs rightfully claim the greatest share in the subscquent fighting and sacrifices.
Their slender claim, however, scems to be based more on their fair complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair, and, of course, the high fighting qualities, which they share with Pathans.
[3] Sudhans also known as Sudhozais historically link themselves with Afghanistan and trace their roots to the Pashtuns and moved to the Poonch District of the Kashmir region several centuries ago.
The new arrivals had to fight for their existence, but with Jassi Khan's leadership, they quickly emerged as a solid and powerful tribe.
The Afridis and the Machipurians, who belong to the Yusufzai tribe, are liable to military service, in return for which they hold certain villages free of revenue.
There is also a good number of nomadic kochi Pashtuns clan living in north and south state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Pashto is also spoken in two villages, Dhakki and Changnar (Chaknot), located on the Line of Control in Kupwara district of northern state of Jammu and Kashmir.
In response to demand by the Pashtun community living in the state, Kashir TV has recently launched a series of Pushto-language programs.
In July 1954 (shortly after the partition), some 100,000 Pashtun tribesmen living in Jammu and Kashmir who previously did not hold nationality effectively became Indian citizens.
[11] According to The Hindu, the ceremony was presided by the Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad at the village of Gutlibagh near Srinagar, during which citizenship certificates were presented in batches.