India-Pakistan War List Overview
Table of Contents
show
| War/Conflict | Year | Cause | Outcome | Indian Casualties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Kashmir War | 1947–1948 | Tribal invasion of J&K | LoC established; J&K split | ~1,500 |
| Second War | 1965 | Operation Gibraltar | Ceasefire; Tashkent Agreement | Several thousand |
| Bangladesh Liberation | 1971 | Crisis in East Pakistan | Bangladesh created; 90,000 PoWs taken | ~3,800 |
| Kargil War | 1999 | Infiltration in Kargil sector | India regained all positions | 500+ |
| Siachen Conflict | 1984–ongoing | Strategic glacier occupation | India holds glacier till today | Hundreds over decades |
| Surgical Strikes | 2016 | Uri terror attack | Indian troops struck terror camps | Classified |
| Balakot Air Strike | 2019 | Pulwama attack | Indian jets bombed terrorist hideouts | None reported |
List of India-Pakistan Wars in Chronological Order
- 1. First India-Pakistan War (1947–1948) – The First Kashmir War Cause: Tribal militias supported by Pakistan invaded Jammu and Kashmir, fearing its accession to India. Key Events: Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession with India. Indian troops were flown in to defend the state. Result: A ceasefire was declared on January 1, 1949, under the UN’s supervision. The Line of Control (LoC) was established. Outcome: India retained about two-thirds of J&K; Pakistan took control of Gilgit-Baltistan and what it calls ‘Azad Kashmir’. Casualties: Approx. 1,500 Indian soldiers lost their lives.
- 2. Second India-Pakistan War (1965) – Operation Gibraltar Cause: Pakistan launched Operation Gibraltar to incite rebellion in Kashmir by sending disguised soldiers. Key Events: India launched a full-scale counter-offensive across Punjab and Kashmir regions. Result: A ceasefire was brokered by the Soviet Union and USA. Tashkent Agreement signed in 1966. Outcome: Status quo restored. No major territorial changes, but India was seen to have the upper hand. Casualties: Thousands dead on both sides. One of the largest tank battles since WWII occurred.
- 3. Third India-Pakistan War (1971) – Bangladesh Liberation War Cause: Political crisis in East Pakistan and India’s support for the Bengali independence movement. Key Events: India intervened after millions of refugees poured into India and Pakistan launched a pre-emptive strike. Result: India achieved a historic military victory. Bangladesh was created as an independent country. Outcome: Over 90,000 Pakistani troops surrendered. Considered one of India's biggest victories. Casualties: Around 3,800 Indian soldiers were martyred.
- 4. Kargil War (1999) – Operation Vijay Cause: Pakistani soldiers and militants secretly occupied Indian posts in the Kargil sector of Jammu & Kashmir. Key Events: Intense high-altitude warfare followed. India launched Operation Vijay to retake the captured peaks. Result: Indian Army regained control within two months. Pakistan faced international criticism. Outcome: Kargil was a major diplomatic and military victory for India. Casualties: Over 500 Indian soldiers martyred. War Heroes: Capt. Vikram Batra, Lt. Manoj Pandey, and others became national icons.
- Other Conflicts & Military Standoffs Siachen Conflict (1984 – Present): India took control of the Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield, to prevent Pakistan's advancement. This has led to ongoing military presence in extreme conditions.Surgical Strikes (2016): After the Uri attack, India conducted surgical strikes across LoC to destroy terror launch pads.Balakot Air Strikes (2019): Following the Pulwama terror attack, Indian Air Force struck terror camps in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan territory.
