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India-Pakistan War List includes four major wars: Indo-Pakistan War 1947, 1965, 1971, and the Indo-Pakistan War 1999 (Kargil War). India-Pakistan War List reveals deep-rooted tensions over Kashmir.
PWOnlyIAS
May 09, 2025
India-Pakistan War List: Since the independence and partition of British India in 1947, the geopolitical relationship between India and Pakistan has been degraded by intense rivalry, rooted in the unresolved issue of Kashmir and a deep historical divide. The India-Pakistan War List includes four major wars—1947, 1965, 1971, and 1999—as well as several other military standoffs and anti-terror operations.
Interested candidates must read on to get a detailed account of these conflicts, emphasising the repeated themes of territorial disputes, national security, and international diplomacy.
The partition of 1947 created the two nations of India and Pakistan, driven by religious and political tensions. However, this division laid the groundwork for decades of hatred and armed conflict, primarily centred around the region of Jammu and Kashmir. The India-Pakistan War List reflects this historical friction, showcasing the repeated military conflicts that have shaped South Asian politics.
| India-Pakistan Wars Historical Context | ||||
| War/Conflict | Year | Primary Cause | Key Events | Outcome |
| Indo-Pakistan War 1947-48 (First Kashmir War) | 1947-1948 | Acquisition of Jammu & Kashmir to India | Pakistani tribal invasion; Raja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession; Indian Army intervened; major battles in Uri, Baramulla, and Jammu. | Ceasefire by the UN; establishment of the Line of Control (LoC); Kashmir dispute remained unresolved. |
| Indo-Pakistan War 1965 | 1965 | Continued Kashmir conflict and Pakistani support for insurgency | Operation Gibraltar by Pakistan; full-scale war broke out; major tank battles in Punjab; ceasefire through Soviet and U.S. mediation (Tashkent Agreement). | Military stalemate; LoC reaffirmed; Kashmir issue remained. |
| Indo-Pakistan War 1971 (Bangladesh Liberation War) | 1971 | Political crisis and human rights violations in East Pakistan | Indian support for Mukti Bahini; full military engagement; Battle of Longewala; over 90,000 Pakistani POWs captured. | Decisive Indian victory; creation of Bangladesh; Shimla Agreement signed. |
| Indo-Pakistan War 1999 (Kargil War) | 1999 | Infiltration by Pakistani troops into Indian territory in the Kargil sector | Pakistani troops occupied strategic peaks; Operation Vijay was launched, the recapture of Tiger Hill and Tololing; international diplomatic pressure on Pakistan. | India regained lost territory, global recognition of Pakistan’s aggression, and continued bilateral tension. |
| Siachen Conflict | 1984–2003 | Dispute over Siachen Glacier in Jammu & Kashmir | Indian occupation of key passes in 1984 (Operation Meghdoot); intermittent skirmishes for control over the glacier. | India maintains a strategic advantage; ongoing low-level conflict. |
| India-Pakistan Standoff | 2001–2002 | Terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament | Massive troop mobilisation on both sides; diplomatic de-escalation due to international pressure. | No full-scale war; heightened tensions and increased military readiness. |
| Surgical Strikes | 2016 | Uri terror attack by Pakistani-based militants | India conducted surgical strikes across the LoC targeting terrorist launch pads. | Claimed as a tactical success by India, Pakistan denied the incident. |
| Balakot Airstrikes | 2019 | The Pulwama suicide bombing that killed 40 Indian soldiers | Indian Air Force conducted airstrikes on JeM camps in Balakot, Pakistan; aerial dogfight followed. | First air combat since 1971; India claimed success; diplomatic tensions escalated temporarily. |
| Pahalgam Civilian Attack | 2025 | Targeted killing of Hindu tourists in Jammu and Kashmir | Mass killing of 26 civilians by militants; suspected involvement of Pakistan-backed terror groups. | Widespread condemnation; a catalyst for India’s military response under Operation Sindoor. |
The India-Pakistan War List outlines all major military conflicts between the two nations since 1947, primarily centred around the Kashmir dispute. These wars reflect the long-standing hostilities and evolving strategic dynamics in South Asia.
The Indo-Pakistan War 1947, also known as the First Kashmir War, began when Pakistan-backed tribal militias invaded Jammu and Kashmir on 22 October 1947. Maharaja Hari Singh, the ruler of Kashmir, chose to accede to India in exchange for military support. This war led to intense fighting in areas like Baramulla, Uri, and Jammu.
It ended in 1948 with a United Nations-mediated ceasefire, resulting in the creation of the Line of Control (LoC). Though the war concluded without a clear victor, it laid the foundation for the continued Kashmir conflict that dominates the India-Pakistan War List.
The second entry in the India-Pakistan War List, the Indo-Pakistan War 1965, was once again centred on Kashmir. Pakistan initiated Operation Gibraltar, penetrating forces into Indian-administered Kashmir to provoke an uprising. India responded with full-scale military action across the western front.
After 17 days of heavy combat, the war ended with a ceasefire brokered by the Soviet Union and the United States through the Tashkent Agreement. Despite no significant territorial changes, India held a strategic edge, especially after suspending Pakistani advancements in battles like Asal Uttar. This conflict maintained Kashmir’s central role in the India-Pakistan War List.
The most decisive conflict in the India-Pakistan War List, the Indo-Pakistan War 1971, occurred following the Bangladesh Liberation Movement in East Pakistan. India supported the Bengali population, which faced brutal repression by the West Pakistani military.
Combativeness officially began on 3 December 1971, when Pakistan launched preemptive air strikes on Indian air bases. India retaliated by launching a full-scale military campaign on both eastern and western fronts. The Battle of Longewala and India’s swift offensive in East Pakistan were major highlights.
The war concluded in just 13 days, with the surrender of over 90,000 Pakistani troops and the creation of Bangladesh. The Shimla Agreement was signed in 1972, marking a diplomatic end. The war significantly shifted the power balance in South Asia, and its impact remains a key chapter in the India-Pakistan War List.
The Indo-Pakistan War 1999, also known as the Kargil War, occurred after Pakistani soldiers and militants entered Indian positions in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir. These invasions violated the LoC and were strategically aimed at disrupting Indian logistical supply lines.
India launched Operation Vijay, involving coordinated air, artillery, and infantry offensives. Battles at Tololing, Drass, and Tiger Hill became symbols of Indian military resilience. After intense fighting and international pressure, including U.S. diplomatic intervention, Pakistan withdrew its forces.
The Kargil War of 1999 solidified India’s military prowess and further weakened bilateral ties. This conflict remains the most recent full-scale war in the India-Pakistan War List.
Beyond the four conventional wars, several limited conflicts and standoffs are essential parts of the India-Pakistan War List:
On 22 April 2025, a horrific attack occurred in Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam, where militants targeted Hindu tourists, killing 26 civilians. The Resistance Front (TRF), allegedly linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, initially claimed responsibility. Victims were interrogated based on their religious identity, and those identified as non-Muslims were massacred.
Operation Sindoor was conducted by India on 1 May 2025. Targeting nine major terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), the operation was designed to dismantle terror facilities operated by groups such as JeM, LeT, and HM.
Launched at 1:44 AM, the Indian Armed Forces executed 24 precision missile strikes. The Ministry of Defence emphasised that Operation Sindoor was “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” highlighting India’s intention to eliminate terrorist threats without triggering war.
The India-Pakistan War List encapsulates decades of conflict shaped by unresolved territorial issues, especially concerning Kashmir. From the Indo-Pakistan War 1947 to the Kargil War 1999 and modern operations like Operation Sindoor, each attack reflects both nations’ struggle to assert dominance and secure national interests.
While conventional warfare has declined, asymmetric and hybrid warfare continue to dominate Indo-Pak relations. The India-Pakistan War List serves not only as a historical record but also as a reminder of the urgent need for sustained diplomatic efforts and regional cooperation to secure peace in South Asia.
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