Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts

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Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts
1947 – 1965 – 1971 – Siachen – Kargil – 2001–02

Since Indian independence in August 1947 and the creation of the Republic of India and Pakistan, there have been three major wars and one minor war between the two states, the casus belli in each case being the disputed Kashmir region, with the only exception of the war of 1971, where the dispute concerned East Pakistan.

1 The Wars in chronological order
2 Origins of conflict
3 Other conflicts
4 See also
5 Dramatization

[edit] The Wars in chronological order

Indo-Pakistani War of 1947: Pakistan occupies one third of Kashmir (which India claims as its territory). India occupies three fifths.
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965: India attacks Pakistan on all fronts after attempts by Pakistani troops to infiltrate into Indian controlled Kashmir. War results in strategic stalemate and small tactical victories for India.
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971: India decisively defeats Pakistan resulting in the independence of Bangladesh
Indo-Pakistani War of 1999, also known as "Kargil War": Kashmiri insurgents backed by Pakistani troops capture Indian army posts. Indian Army retaliates and recaptures the posts. International pressure forces Pakistan to back down.

[edit] Origins of conflict

The root of most conflicts and the mutual hatred lies in Kashmir and in the manner in which its political alignment was decided by the two countries following partition in 1947. Kashmir was ruled by a Maharajah. But following an invasion by Pakistani tribals and some regulars he acceeded to India. Immediately afterwards the First Kashmir War broke out between the two nations over the mountainous region of Kashmir when Indian and Pakistani troops fought against each other. The war lasted for more than a year with both nations making significant advances into each other's territory. As the war was ended by a UN ceasefire, India had managed to secure just under three-fifths of Kashmir and importantly the most fertile part of it including the Kashmir Valley.

The Second Kashmir War again involved the issue of Kashmir with Pakistan infiltrating and starting a rebellion in Jammu and Kashmir, India (See Operation Gibraltar) The plan was a non-starter and India retaliated by launching an attack on Pakistan igniting the war. The war ended with an Indian victory.

The third war was unique in that it did not involve the issue of Kashmir, but was rather precipitated by the crisis brewing in East Pakistan. After months of internal conflict, India decided to help the Bengalis in East Pakistan - much to the consternation of West Pakistan. Within just a fortnight the Indian Military had decisively defeated Pakistan with the aid of the rebels and forced Pakistan to surrender. This war, despite lasting only a fortnight, 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 nearly 100,000 Pakistani troops and civilians.

The latest war, the Kargil War, is considered a minor war though it produced stirring emotions between the two nations involved, coming at a time of increased media and electronic coverage. This was the first ground war between the two countries after they had developed nuclear weapons. The war ended with India regaining possession of Kargil.

[edit] Other conflicts

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. In 1984 there was a flashpoint as both nations attempted to control the Siachen Glacier. Further clashes erupted in the glacial area in 1985, 1987 and 1995 as Pakistan sought without success to oust India from their stronghold.

Between November 1986 and March 1987, India conducted Operation Brasstacks. This military exercise - the largest of its kind in South Asia - raised eyebrows in Pakistan and it was feared that it would lead to another war between the two neighbours. Tensions were high again in 1990 after militancy in Indian-administered Kashmir greatly increased. A terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament on December 13, 2001, blamed by India on the Pakistan-based terrorist organizations Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, prompted the 2001-2002 India-Pakistan standoff and brought both sides close to war.