List of Wars Between 🇮🇳 India and 🇵🇰 Pakisthan

Since the Partition of India in August 1947, which resulted in the formation of the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, there have been three major wars, one minor war and numerous armed skirmishes between the two countries. The most violent outbreaks came in 1947–48, 1965, and 1971.Most believe that the roots of the conflicts lie in the hostility between Hindus and Muslims and, initially, in the disposition of self-governing princely states.

Here we tried to place some brief information on 4 major wars between India and Pakistan.

🛡️ 1. The First Kashmir War (October 21, 1947 – December 31, 1948)

The first war between India and Pakistan also called the First Kashmir War arose over Kashmir, in NW India, in 1947 when Muslim subjects revolted and were supported by Pakistani troops. The Hindu ruler appealed to India for aid, agreeing to cede the state to India in return. India moved quickly to consolidate its position in Kashmir, pushing Pakistan’s “volunteers” back. Conflicts also arose in the Punjab and in Bengal.

The undeclared war in Kashmir continued until Jan. 1, 1949, when a truce was arranged through UN mediation; negotiations between India and Pakistan began and lasted until 1954 without resolving the Kashmir problem. Pakistan controlled part of the area, Azad (Free) Kashmir, while India held most of the territory, which it annexed in 1957. The war ended in December 31, 1948 with the Line of Control dividing the erstwhile princely state into territories administered by Pakistan (northern and western areas) and India

• Period: October 21, 1947 – December 31, 1948
• Also known as: The First India-Pakistan War or the First Kashmir War

What Happened?

• After Partition, Maharaja Hari Singh of Kashmir, a Hindu ruler of a Muslim-majority state, wanted to stay independent.
• But tribal militias from Pakistan invaded Kashmir in support of Muslim rebels.
• The Maharaja sought help from India and agreed to join India by signing the Instrument of Accession.
• India sent its army to push back the invaders.
• The war ended with a UN-mediated ceasefire on January 1, 1949.

Result:

• Kashmir was divided along the Line of Control (LoC):
• India got control of Jammu, Kashmir Valley, and Ladakh
• Pakistan retained control of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan

Casualties:

• Indian Army:

  • 1,104 killed
  • 684 killed (State Forces)
  • 3,152 wounded

• Pakistan Army:

  • 1,500 killed
  • 2,633 killed (State Forces)
  • 4,688 wounded

⚔️ 2. The Second India-Pakistan War (1965)

The second war between India and Pakistan started in April 1965, with fighting in the Rann of Kutch, a dry and less populated area near the border. Soon, the war spread to Kashmir and Punjab. In September, both countries launched attacks across the border and even bombed each other’s cities. The conflict became intense, but with pressure from countries like the US and the UK, both sides agreed to stop fighting and return to their original positions before the war began.

In January 1966, Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and Pakistani President Ayub Khan met in Tashkent, in the then Soviet Union, and signed the Tashkent Agreement. They promised to maintain peace and hold further talks. After this, there was a period of calm between the two countries, although tensions remained under the surface.

• Period: April – September 23, 1965
• Focus Area: Kashmir and Punjab

What Happened?

• Conflict began in the Rann of Kutch and later spread to Kashmir.
• Both countries used land and air forces.
• Heavy fighting took place along the International Border.
• India defended its territory strongly.
• A UN-sponsored ceasefire came into effect after global pressure.
• The Tashkent Agreement was signed in January 1966 by Lal Bahadur Shastri and Ayub Khan.

Result:

• India gained strategic and tactical advantage.
• Status quo was restored.

Casualties:

• Indian Army:

  • 3,264 killed
  • 8,623 wounded

• Pakistan Army:

  • Around 8,000 killed

🪖 3. The 1971 War – Birth of Bangladesh

The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a major conflict between India and Pakistan, mainly linked to the Bangladesh Liberation War. A civil war broke out in Pakistan when people in East Pakistan demanded more rights and freedom from the government in West Pakistan. This led to violence and about 10 million people fled to India. Tensions grew, and when Pakistan attacked Indian airbases, India responded by launching attacks on both sides of Pakistan. Indian forces entered East Pakistan and helped the people there declare independence as Bangladesh on December 6, 1971.

The war ended in mid-December with a ceasefire, after Pakistan suffered a major defeat. Over 90,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered to Indian and Bangladeshi forces, called the Mitro Bahini. East Pakistan became the new country of Bangladesh. Pakistan faced a political crisis, and new leaders took charge in both nations—Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in Pakistan and Mujibur Rahman in Bangladesh. The war ended with the Shimla Agreement in 1972, and Pakistan officially recognized Bangladesh in 1974. However, tensions between India and Pakistan have continued from time to time.

• Period: December 3 – December 16, 1971
• Also connected to: Bangladesh Liberation War

What Happened?

• Civil war broke out in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
• Over 10 million refugees fled to India.
• On December 3, Pakistan attacked Indian airbases in Kashmir.
• India launched full-scale attacks on both East and West Pakistan.
• Indian forces, along with the Mukti Bahini (Bangladeshi freedom fighters), captured East Pakistan.

Major Outcome:

• On December 16, 1971, Lt. Gen. A. A. K. Niazi of Pakistan surrendered to Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh Aurora.
• East Pakistan became Bangladesh, a new country.
• Pakistan lost more than 90,000 troops in surrender.

Casualties:

• Indian Army:

• 3,843 killed
• 9,851 wounded

• Pakistan Army:

  • Numbers not fully disclosed

Result:

• Decisive victory for India and Mukti Bahini
• Formation of Bangladesh

🧱 4. The Kargil War (1999)

The Kargil War, also known as the Kargil conflict, was an armed conflict between India and Pakistan that took place between May and July 1999 in the Kargil district of Kashmir. The cause of the war was the infiltration of Pakistani soldiers and Kashmiri militants into positions on the Indian side of the Line of Control (LOC), which serves as the de facto border between the two states.

During and directly after the war, Pakistan blamed the fighting entirely on independent Kashmiri insurgents, but documents left behind by casualties and later statements by Pakistan’s Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff showed involvement of Pakistani paramilitary forces, led by General Ashraf Rashid. The Indian Army, supported by the Indian Air Force, attacked the Pakistani positions and, with international diplomatic support, eventually forced withdrawal of the Pakistani forces across the LOC.

• Period: May – July 1999
• Location: Kargil, Jammu and Kashmir
• Also called: Kargil Conflict

 What Started the War?

• In early 1999, Pakistani soldiers and Kashmiri militants secretly crossed the LoC and took over Indian army posts on the Indian side.
• These posts were high up in the mountains, making them very difficult for Indian soldiers to retake.
• At first, Pakistan claimed that the people who crossed the LoC were just independent Kashmiri fighters.
• But later, documents found from the bodies of Pakistani soldiers and statements by Pakistan’s own leaders proved that it was Pakistan’s army that planned and carried out the operation.
• The mission was led by General Ashraf Rashid of the Pakistani army.

 How Did India Respond?

• India quickly launched Operation Vijay to push the intruders back.
• The Indian Army, with support from the Indian Air Force, fought back strongly in the tough mountain terrain.
• Indian soldiers had to climb steep mountains under enemy fire to retake their positions.
• The Indian Air Force carried out airstrikes to help ground troops, but did not cross the LoC to avoid a bigger war.

Result:

• India successfully regained all its posts.
• Pakistan faced international embarrassment.

Casualties:

• Indian Army:

• 527 killed
• 1,363 wounded

• Pakistan Army:

  • 357 killed (official)

  • 4,000+ wounded (estimated)

---

⚠️ 5. Current Situation: April 2025

Recent Developments:

• On April 23, 2025, a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, resulted in the deaths of 27 individuals, including 26 Indian tourists and 1 local civilian. The attack was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba .

India’s Response:

• Diplomatic Measures:

  • Expulsion of Pakistani diplomats.
  • Suspension of visas for Pakistani nationals.
  • Withdrawal from the Indus Waters Treaty.
  • Closure of land borders .

• Military Actions:

  • Brief exchanges of fire along the LoC.
  • Heightened military alertness along the border .

Pakistan’s Response:

• Diplomatic Measures:

  • Closure of airspace to Indian aircraft.
  • Suspension of trade with India.
  • Suspension of the Shimla Agreement .

International Reactions:

• The United Nations has urged both nations to exercise restraint and resolve issues through dialogue.
• The United States has expressed confidence in India’s and Pakistan’s ability to manage their relations independently .

Travel Advisories:

• The U.S. State Department has issued advisories against travel to the India-Pakistan border areas due to heightened tensions and risk of terrorism .

Border Security Enhancements

• The Indian government plans to plug all gaps along the India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders within the next two years.

• Upgrades include:

  • Construction of bulletproof posts.
  • Enhanced fencing and lighting.
  • Deployment of advanced surveillance equipment .