In response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians in April 2025, India launched missile strikes on nine terrorist locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7, 2025, under Operation Sindoor. This decisive action highlights the longstanding security challenges between the two nations.
1947 – The First Indo-Pak War
The first India-Pakistan war began in October 1947, when Pakistan-backed tribal militias invaded Jammu and Kashmir. After the Maharaja acceded to India, Indian forces intervened, leading to full-scale war. The conflict ended with a UN-mediated ceasefire in January 1949, resulting in the division of Kashmir along the Line of Control—marking the beginning of an enduring territorial dispute.
1965 – The Second Indo-Pak War
On August 5, 1965, Pakistan launched Operation Gibraltar, sending troops across the Line of Control to incite unrest in Jammu and Kashmir. India retaliated, escalating the conflict into full-scale war. Fighting continued until September 23, 1965, when a ceasefire brokered by the Soviet Union through the Tashkent Agreement was reached. Despite the truce, tensions persisted, fueled by unresolved territorial disputes.
1971 – The Bangladesh Liberation War
The 1971 war erupted when Pakistan’s military conducted a brutal crackdown in East Pakistan amid rising demands for independence. India, supporting the freedom movement, launched military operations, ultimately leading to Pakistan’s surrender on December 16, 1971, and the creation of Bangladesh as a new nation—a pivotal moment in South Asian history.
1999 – The Kargil War
The Kargil conflict unfolded in May 1999, when Pakistani soldiers and militants infiltrated and occupied strategic heights in Indian-controlled Kashmir. India responded with Operation Vijay to reclaim lost territory, supported by the Air Force’s Operation Safed Sagar. The conflict ended on July 26, 1999, with India securing victory—an event now commemorated as Kargil Vijay Diwas.
2016 – The Uri Attack and India’s Surgical Strikes
On September 18, 2016, terrorists attacked an Indian Army base in Uri, killing 19 soldiers. India responded on September 28–29, carrying out surgical strikes across the Line of Control, targeting terrorist launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and inflicting heavy casualties on infiltrators.
2019 – The Pulwama Attack and Balakot Airstrikes
On February 14, 2019, a suicide bombing in Pulwama killed 40 CRPF personnel, prompting India to launch airstrikes on Jaish-e-Mohammed’s training camp in Balakot on February 26, 2019. The Balakot airstrike marked a significant shift in India’s counterterrorism strategy.
2025 – Operation Sindoor
On May 7, 2025, India launched missile strikes on terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, retaliating for the Pahalgam terror attack. This operation underscores the ongoing security challenges in the region and India’s firm stance against cross-border terrorism.
