The role of Azad forces cannot be understated however the role of the tribals gets the most limelight was due to the fact that they had reached srinagar. What we must question is then why are the two roles separate but one gets most limelight whereas for the other, you have delve deep into the subject. First of all the Kashmir conflict of 1947 was not based on a single theater but on multiple theaters. We have the involvement of the Chitral princely state, Hunza princely state, Nagar princely state and then we have the Gilgit scouts and the counter role played by the nubra scouts and the Jammu and Kashmir state forces in Ladakh.
The pashtun tribal militia composed of various groups and they were to utilize the paths that went through Pakistan since Pakistan was well connected with the Kashmir region, much better than India. They utilized that road network and took on the embattled state forces, capturing strategic areas that led to srinagar. They were supported by Pakistan.
The poonch rebellion was the precursor for the Azad movement and its first incident was the spring 1947 revolt which happened before Pakistan and the more severe revolt in August. The rebellion shook the very core of the state of kashmir as the maharaja was severely worried that the revolt would spread. Sardar ibrahim declared the formation of the government and gujarat was named the Azad GHQ and this was in September if i am not wrong.
These are two different theaters. The pashtun lashkars went from rawalpindi road to Muzaffarabad and with the help of the local population, easily scattered the forces of kashmir state. the local population showed them the shorter and strategic routes. The locals joined the lashkars and went further 200km to srinagar and captured nearby teetwal. Local muslim population would offer them food but they refused fearing them to be poisoned. They were not nice to the non-muslim population but considering the madness of 1947.......
The Azad government played a crucial role in the southern theater of the war was very much part of the Azad forces and the role of the Azad forces is recognized in many books. They held the territories despite setbacks but then again, facing a professional army is something that is very hard and it cant be blamed on both the Azad forces nor on the tribals for the territory they had to retreat from.
Credit must be given everywhere as both were instrumental in securing the Kashmir that is independent and it must be stated that the Azad government was fighting and forming a provisional government long before the Tribals entered the area of modern day Kashmir. Sardar ibrahim was declared a full new government on 24th october and was declared president.
What i have written is mere summary but the fact is that the Azad forces created the conditions where Kashmir saw independence and their role in securing kashmir could not be underestimated.
That was a massive missed opportunity. While tribals and Azad forces were advancing, Pakistan was absent. The early leadership, especially the Lahore council is very much at fault here. The ignoring of this played a crucial role in the Major Akbar coup.
Anyhow nobody can ignore the role of Azad forces and least of all Pakistan. Our entire position on Kashmir demands you guys to have formed independently otherwise it would be nothing more than foreign annexation without the wishes of the people at ground.