India and Pakistan war
India-Pakistan Wars: A Complete Historical Overview
India and Pakistan, since their partition in 1947, have fought four major wars and numerous skirmishes, primarily over Kashmir. This deep-rooted rivalry is one of the most persistent conflicts in South Asia. Here is a detailed breakdown of the wars and conflicts between the two nations:
1. First Indo-Pak War (1947–1948) – The Kashmir Conflict Begins
Background:
- Right after independence in 1947, princely states were given the choice to join India or Pakistan.
- Maharaja Hari Singh, ruler of Jammu & Kashmir, hesitated, wanting to remain independent.
- Tribal militias from Pakistan invaded Kashmir in October 1947.
Key Events:
- Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession with India.
- Indian troops were airlifted to Kashmir to repel invaders.
- The war lasted till December 1948.
Outcome:
- Ceasefire brokered by the UN in January 1949.
- Line of Control (LoC) established.
- India retained about two-thirds of Kashmir; Pakistan controlled one-third (Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan).
2. Second Indo-Pak War (1965) – Full-Scale Battle Over Kashmir
Background:
- Pakistan launched Operation Gibraltar, infiltrating forces into Kashmir.
- Aimed to incite rebellion against Indian rule.
Key Events:
- Conflict escalated into a full-scale war in September 1965.
- Major tank battles in Punjab, particularly the Battle of Asal Uttar.
Outcome:
- Ceasefire declared on September 23, 1965, due to UN pressure and international diplomacy.
- Tashkent Agreement signed in January 1966 (brokered by the Soviet Union).
- Status quo restored; no territorial changes.
3. Third Indo-Pak War (1971) – Birth of Bangladesh
Background:
- Triggered by Pakistan's civil war in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
- India supported Mukti Bahini (Bengali freedom fighters).
Key Events:
- War began on December 3, 1971, after Pakistan's pre-emptive airstrike on Indian airbases.
- Indian forces quickly advanced into East Pakistan.
Outcome:
- Pakistan surrendered on December 16, 1971.
- Over 90,000 Pakistani soldiers captured.
- Creation of the new nation: Bangladesh.
- Simla Agreement signed in 1972 for peaceful resolution of future disputes.
4. Kargil War (1999) – The High-Altitude Conflict
Background:
- Pakistani soldiers and militants occupied high-altitude positions in Kargil sector (Ladakh).
- Part of a covert operation led by Pakistani Army without political clearance.
Key Events:
- India launched Operation Vijay in May 1999.
- Fierce battles fought in treacherous mountain terrain.
Outcome:
- India recaptured key peaks by July 1999.
- International pressure (especially from the US) forced Pakistan to withdraw.
- Heavy casualties on both sides.
Other Military Engagements and Skirmishes
Siachen Conflict (Since 1984):
- India occupies most of the Siachen Glacier.
- World's highest battlefield.
- Ongoing low-intensity conflict with frequent casualties.
Surgical Strikes (2016):
- After the Uri attack, India claimed it conducted surgical strikes on terror launchpads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Balakot Airstrike (2019):
- In retaliation for the Pulwama terror attack, Indian Air Force bombed a terrorist camp in Balakot, Pakistan.
- Pakistan responded with an airstrike; Indian pilot Abhinandan was captured and later released.
Current Scenario & Future Outlook
- Ceasefire agreements have been re-established periodically, most recently reaffirmed in 2021.
- Diplomatic relations remain tense but stable.
- The Kashmir issue remains unresolved.
- Both nations possess nuclear weapons, making full-scale war increasingly unlikely but still dangerous.
Conclusion
The India-Pakistan rivalry has shaped South Asia's geopolitics for over seven decades.
Comments
Post a Comment