Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts

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Indo-Pakistani conflicts

Refugees awaiting evacuation by IAF Dakota on Poonch Airstrip, December 1947.

Since the partition of British India in 1947 and creation of India and Pakistan, the two South
Asian countries have been involved in four wars, including one undeclared war, as well as many
border skirmishes and military stand-offs. Additionally, India has accused Pakistan of engaging
in proxy wars by providing military and financial assistance to violent non-state actors.
The dispute for Kashmir has been the cause, whether direct or indirect of all major conflicts
between the two countries with the exception of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, where conflict
originated due to turmoil in erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

Contents
1 Background
2 Wars
o 2.1 Indo-Pakistani War of 1947
o 2.2 Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
o 2.3 Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
o 2.4 Indo-Pakistani War of 1999
3 Nuclear conflict

4 Other armed engagements

5 Incidents
6 Annual celebrations
7 Involvement of other nations
8 In popular culture
9 See also
10 References
11 External links

Background
Further information: Indian independence movement and Pakistan Movement
The Partition of India came about in the aftermath of World War II, when both Great Britain and
British India were dealing with the economic stresses caused by the war and its demobilisation.[1]
It was the intention of those who wished for a Muslim state to come from British India to have a
clean partition between independent and equal "Pakistan" and "Hindustan" once independence
came.[2]
The partition itself, according to leading politicians such as Mohammed Ali Jinnah, leader of the
All India Muslim League, and Jawaharlal Nehru, leader of the Indian National Congress, should
have resulted in peaceful relations. However, the partition of British India into India and Pakistan
in 1947 did not divide the nations cleanly along religious lines. Nearly one third of the Muslim
population of British India remained in India.[3] Inter-communal violence between Hindus, Sikhs
and Muslims resulted in between 500,000 to 1 million casualties.[1]:6
Princely-ruled territories, such as Kashmir and Hyderabad, were also involved in Partition.
Rulers of these territories had the choice of joining India or Pakistan. Both India and Pakistan
laid claim on Kashmir and thus it became the main point of conflict.[1]:8[4] The ruler of Kashmir,
which had a Muslim majority population, joined India by signing the Instrument of Accession.[4]

Wars

Sherman tanks of 18th Cavalry (Indian Army) on the move during the 1965 Indo-Pak War.

Pakistan's PNS Ghazi, the Pakistani submarine which was claimed to have been sunk by the
Indian Navy

Indo-Pakistani War of 1947

Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1947
This is also called the First Kashmir War. The war started in October 1947 when it was feared
by the Pakistan that Maharajah of the princely state of Kashmir and Jammu might accede to
India as choice was given to him on the matter to accede to any of the newly independent
nations. Tribal forces from Pakistan attacked and occupied the princely state, resulting in
Maharajah signing the Agreement to the accession of the princely state to India. The United
Nations was invited by India to mediate the quarrel resulting in the UN Security Council passing
Resolution 47 on 21 April 1948. The war ended in December 1948 with the Line of Control
dividing Kashmir into territories administered by Pakistan (northern and western areas) and India
(southern, central and northeastern areas).

Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
This war started following Pakistan's Operation Gibraltar, which was designed to infiltrate forces
into Jammu and Kashmir to precipitate an insurgency against rule by India. India retaliated by

launching an attack on Pakistan. The five-week war caused thousands of casualties on both sides
and was witness to the largest tank battle in military history since World War II. The outcome of
this war was a strategic stalemate with some small tactical victories for both sides. The war
concluded after diplomatic intervention by the Soviet Union and USA and the subsequent
issuance of the Tashkent Declaration.[5]

Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
The war was unique in that it did not involve the issue of Kashmir, but was rather precipitated by
the crisis created by the political battle between Sheikh Mujib, Leader of East Pakistan and
Yahya-Bhutto, leaders of West Pakistan brewing in erstwhile East Pakistan culminating to the
declaration of Independence of Bangladesh from the state system of Pakistan. Following
Operation Searchlight and the 1971 Bangladesh atrocities, about 10 million Bengalis in East
Pakistan took refuge in neighbouring India.[6] India intervened in the ongoing Bangladesh
liberation movement.[7][8] After a large scale pre-emptive strike by Pakistan, full-scale hostilities
between the two countries commenced. Within two weeks of intense fighting, Pakistani forces in
East Pakistan surrendered to the joint command of India and Bangladesh forces following which
the People's Republic of Bangladesh was created.[9] This war saw the highest number of
casualties in any of the India-Pakistan conflicts, as well as the largest number of prisoners of war
since the Second World War after the surrender of more than 90,000 Pakistani military and
civilians.[10]

Indo-Pakistani War of 1999

Main article: Kargil War
Commonly known as Kargil War, this conflict between the two countries was mostly limited.
Pakistani troops along with Kashmiri insurgents infiltrated across the Line of Control (LoC) and
occupied Indian territory mostly in the Kargil district. The Pakistani government believed that its
nuclear weapons would deter a full-scale escalation in conflict but India asked UN to stop this
before happening, so PAKISTANI PM Nawaz Sharif ordered Pakistani army chief PERVAIZ
MUSHARRAF to return from india.[11] Due to increasing foreign diplomatic pressure, Pakistan
was forced to withdraw its forces back across the LoC.[5]

Nuclear conflict
The nuclear conflict between both countries is of passive strategic nature with nuclear doctrine of
Pakistan stating a first strike policy, although the strike would only be initiated if and only if, the
Pakistan Armed Forces are unable to halt an invasion (as for example in 1971 war) or a nuclear
strike is launched against Pakistan[citation needed] while India has a declared policy of no first use.
Pokhran-I (Smiling Buddha): On 18 May 1974 India detonated an 8 Kiloton[12] nuclear
device at Pokhran Test Range becoming the first nation to become nuclear capable
outside the five permanent members of United Nations Security Council as well as

dragging Pakistan along with it into a nuclear arms race[13] with the Pakistani prime
minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto swearing to reciprocate India.[14][15] The Pakistan Atomic
Energy Commission Chairman Munir Ahmed Khan said that the test would force
Pakistan to test its own nuclear bomb.[16]
Kirana-I: In 1980s a series of 24 different cold tests were conducted by Pakistan Atomic
Energy Commission led by chairman Munir Ahmad Khan under extreme secrecy.[17] The
tunnels at Kirana Hills, Sargodha, are reported to have been bored after the Chagai
nuclear test sites, it is widely believed that the tunnels were constructed sometime
between 1979 and 1983. As in Chagai, the tunnels at Kirana Hills had been bored and
then sealed and this task was also undertaken by PAEC's DTD.[17] Later due to excessive
US intelligence and satellite focus on the Kirana Hills site,[citation needed] it was abandoned
and nuclear weapons testing was shifted to the Kala Chitta Range.
Pokhran-II (Operation Shakti): On 11 May 1998 India detonated another 5 nuclear
devices at Pokhran Test Range. With jublication and large scale approval from the Indian
society came International sanctions as a reaction to this test. The most vehement reaction
of all coming from Pakistan. Great ire was raised in Pakistan, which issued a severe
statement claiming that India was instigating a nuclear arms race in the region. Pakistan
vowed to match India's nuclear capability with statements like, "We are in a headlong
arms race on the subcontinent."[18][19]
Chagai-I: (Youm-e-Takbir) Within half a month of Pokhran-II, on 28 May 1998
Pakistan detonated 5 nuclear devices to reciprocate India in the nuclear arms race.
Pakistani public, like the Indian, reacted with a celebration and heightened sense of
nationalism for responding to India in kind and becoming the only Muslim nuclear
power. The day was later given the title Youm-e-Takbir to further proclaim such.[20][21]
Chagai-II: Two days later, on 30 May 1998, Pakistan detonated a 6th nuclear device
completing its own series of underground tests with this being the last test the two nations
have carried out to date.[21][22]

Other armed engagements

Apart from the aforementioned wars, there have been skirmishes between the two nations from
time to time. Some have bordered on all-out war, while others were limited in scope. The
countries were expected to fight each other in 1955 after warlike posturing on both sides, but
full-scale war did not break out.[5]
Indian integration of Junagadh: The princely state of Junagadh, which had a Hindu
majority and a Muslim ruler acceded to Pakistan on 15 September 1947, claiming a
connection by sea. Pakistan's acceptance of the Instrument of Accession was seen as a
strategy to get a plebiscite held in Kashmir which had a Muslim majority and a Hindu
ruler. Following communal tensions Indian military entered the territory which was
protested by Pakistan as a violation of International law. Later a plebiscite was held and
the accession was reversed for the state to join India.[23][24][25][26]

Kashmir conflict: Other than the three wars mentioned in above section, the conflict,
since accession of the state on 26 October 1947, has been an on and off major cause for
the tensions between the two nations.
Siachen conflict: In 1984, India launched Operation Meghdoot capturing most of the
Siachen Glacier. Further clashes erupted in the glacial area in 1985, 1987 and 1995 as
Pakistan sought, without success, to oust India from its stronghold.[5][27]
Operation Brasstacks: (the largest of its kind in South Asia), conducted by India
between November 1986 and March 1987, and Pakistani mobilisation in response, raised
tensions and fears that it could lead to another war between the two neighbours.[5]:129[28]
Sir Creek: The dispute lies in the interpretation of the maritime boundary line between
Kutch and Sindh. Before India's independence, the provincial region was a part of
Bombay Presidency of British India. After India's independence in 1947, Sindh became a
part of Pakistan while Kutch remained a part of India. Pakistan lays claim to the entire
creek as per paras 9 and 10 of the Bombay Government Resolution of 1914[29] signed
between the then Government of Sindh and Rao Maharaj of Kutch.[30]
Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir: An insurgency in Indian-administered Kashmir
has been a cause for heightened tensions.
2008 India Pakistan standoff
2001-2002 India-Pakistan standoff: The terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament on 13
December 2001, which India blamed on the Pakistan-based terrorist organisations,
Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, prompted the 20012002 India-Pakistan
standoff and brought both sides close to war.[31]
IndiaPakistan maritime trespassing: frequent trespassing and violation of respective
national territorial waters of India and Pakistan in peacetime occurs commonly by
Pakistani and Indian fishermen operating along the coastline of the Indian state of Gujarat
and the Pakistani province of Sindh. Most violations occur due to the absence of a
physical boundary and lack of navigational tools for small fishermen. Hundreds of
fishermen are arrested by the Coast Guards of both nations, but obtaining their release is
difficult and long-winded owing to the hostile relations between the two
nations.[32][32][33][34]

Incidents
Atlantique Incident: Pakistan Navy's Naval Air Arm Breguet Atlantique patrol plane,
carrying 16 people on board, was shot down by the Indian Air Force for alleged violation
of airspace. The episode took place in the Rann of Kutch on 10 August 1999, just a
month after the Kargil War, creating a tense atmosphere between India and Pakistan.
Foreign diplomats noted that the plane fell inside Pakistani territory, although it may have
crossed the border. However, they also believe that India's reaction was unjustified.[35]

Pakistan later lodged a compensation claim at the International Court of Justice, accusing
India for the incident, but the Court dismissed the case in a split decision ruling the Court
did not have jurisdiction.[36]
2008 Mumbai attacks: Following ten coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across
Mumbai, India's largest city, tensions heightened between the two countries since India
claimed interrogation results alleging[37][38] Pakistan's ISI supporting the attackers while
Pakistan denied it.[39][40][41] Pakistan placed its air force on alert and moved troops to the
Indian border, voicing concerns about proactive movements of Indian Army[42] and the
Indian government's possible plans to launch attacks on Pakistani soil.[43] The tension
defused in short time and Pakistan moved its troops away from border.
The 2011 IndiaPakistan border shooting incident took place between 30 August
(Tuesday) and 1 September 2011 (Thursday) across the Line of Control in Kupwara
District/Neelam Valley, resulting in one Indian soldier and three Pakistani soldiers being
killed. Both countries gave different accounts of the incident, each accusing the other of
initiating the hostilities.[44][45]
2013 India-Pakistan border incident in the Mendhar sector of Jammu & Kashmir, due
to the beheading of an Indian soldier. A total of 6 soldiers died (2 Indian and 4 Pakistani
Soldiers).[46]

Annual celebrations
28 May (since 1998) as Youm-e-Takbir (The day of Greatness) in Pakistan.[47][48]
26 July (since 1999) as Kargil Vijay Diwas (Kargil Victory Day) in India.
6 September (since 1965) as Defence Day (Youm-e-Difa) in Pakistan.[49]
7 September (since 1965) as Air Force Day (Youm-e-Fizaya) in Pakistan.[49]
8 September (since 1965) as Victory Day/Navy Day in Pakistan.
4 December (since 1971) as Navy Day in India.
16 December (since 1971) as Vijay Diwas (Victory Day) in India.

Involvement of other nations

Soviet Union: USSR remained neutral in Indo-Pakistani War of 1965[50] and helped
bring peace in the region.[51] The USSR had supported and helped India in 1971
war.[52][53][54]
United States: US had not given any military aid to Pakistan in the Indo-Pakistani
War of 1965.[55] However, it supported in the 1971 war.[56][57][58] US had not supported
Pakistan in the Kargil War.[59][60]
China: China had helped Pakistan in various wars with military support.[61][62][63]
Russia: Russia maintained a non-belligerent policy for both sides. Russia helped
negotiate a peace in 200102 and helped divert the 2008 crises.[64][65]

In popular culture
These wars have provided source material for both Indian and Pakistani film and television
dramatists, who have adapted events of the war for the purposes of drama and to please target
audiences in their nations.
Films (Indian)
Hindustan Ki Kasam, a 1973 Hindi war film based on Operation Cactus Lilly of the 1971
Indo-Pakistani War, directed by Chetan Anand.
Aakraman, a 1975 Hindi war film based on the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, directed by J.
Om Prakash.
Vijeta, a 1982 Hindi film based on the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, produced by Shashi
Kapoor and directed by Govind Nihalani.
Param Vir Chakra, a 1995 Hindi film based on Indo-Pak War, directed by Ashok
Kaul.[66]
Border, a 1997 Hindi war film based on the Battle of Longewala of the 1971 IndoPakistan war, directed by J.P.Dutta.
LOC Kargil, a 2003 Hindi war film based on the Kargil War, directed by J.P.Dutta
Deewaar, a 2004 Hindi film starring Amitabh Bachchan based on the POW of the 1971
Indo-Pakistan war, directed by Milan Luthria.
Lakshya, a 2004 Hindi film partially based on the events of the Kargil War, directed by
Farhan Akhtar.
1971, 2007 Hindi war film based on a true story of prisoners of war after the Indo-Pak
war of 1971, directed by Amrit Sagar
Kurukshetra, a 2008 Malayalam film based on Kargil War, directed by Major Ravi.
Miniseries/Dramas (Pakistani)
Angaar Waadi, an Urdu drama serial based on Indian occupation of Kashmir, directed by
Rauf Khalid[67]
Laag, an Urdu drama serial based on Indian occupation of Kashmir, directed by Rauf
Khalid[67]
Operation Dwarka, 1965, an Urdu drama based on the naval Operation Dwarka of 1965,
directed by Qasim Jalali
PNS Ghazi (Shaheed), an Urdu drama based on sinking of PNS Ghazi, ISPR
Alpha Bravo Charlie, an Urdu drama serial based on three different aspects of Pakistan
Army's involvement in action, directed by Shoaib Mansoor
Shahpar, an Urdu drama serial based on Pakistan Air Force, directed by Qaisar Farooq &
Syed Shakir Uzair
Sipahi Maqbool Hussain, an Urdu drama serial based on a 1965 war POW, directed by
Haider Imam Rizvi