India Pakistan War List, Timeline, History and Recent Conflict
Deeksha Dixit1 Jul, 2025
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India-Pakistan War: The India-Pakistan conflict is one of the most complex rivalries in modern history. Rooted in the aftermath of the 1947 Partition, the two nations have engaged in multiple wars and skirmishes. From 4 full-scale wars to several local conflicts, the tensions have shaped their foreign and defence policies for decades. Find out India Pakistan war list here!
India Pakistan War List
Over the decades, India and Pakistan have fought around 4 wars which is 1947, 1965, 1971 and 1999 and several conflicts, each with its unique causes and consequences. The list includes:
Indo-Pakistan War 1947-48
This was the first war between India and Pakistan. It began soon after Partition in October 1947. Pakistani tribal militias and soldiers entered Jammu and Kashmir to capture the region. The Maharaja of Kashmir, Hari Singh, sought India's help.
In return, he signed the Instrument of Accession, officially making Jammu and Kashmir a part of India. Indian troops were sent to push back the invaders. The war ended in 1948 with a UN-brokered ceasefire. A part of Kashmir remained under Pakistani control, now known as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Indo-Pakistan War 1965
This war was mainly fought over Kashmir. Pakistan launched Operation Gibraltar in August 1965, sending soldiers disguised as locals into Indian Kashmir to spark rebellion. India responded with full force, with major battles in Kashmir and Punjab.
The Indian Army crossed into Lahore but stopped after international pressure. A ceasefire was declared in September 1965. The Tashkent Agreement was signed in January 1966 under Soviet mediation. Though neither side gained significant territory, the war led to large casualties.
Indo-Pakistan War 1971
This war is one of the most important Indo-Pakistan wars as it led to the creation of Bangladesh. In 1971, civil war broke out in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). India supported the independence movement after a huge refugee crisis unfolded on its eastern borders.
On 3 December 1971, Pakistan launched airstrikes on Indian airbases. India responded with full-scale war. The Indian Army entered East Pakistan, and within 13 days, Pakistani forces surrendered in Dhaka. More than 90,000 Pakistani soldiers were taken as prisoners of war, and Bangladesh was born.
This war is remembered as India’s greatest military victory.
Indo-Pakistan War 1999
Indo-Pakistan War 1999, also known as the Kargil War, was fought in the Kargil region of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistani soldiers and militants crossed the Line of Control and captured Indian territory.
India launched Operation Vijay to reclaim its land. The Indian Army, with the support of the Air Force, successfully pushed back the intruders. The Kargil War ended in July 1999. Pakistan faced diplomatic embarrassment. India regained control of the entire area.
List of Wars Between India and Pakistan (Chronological Order)
| War | Year | Cause/Trigger | Key Events | Outcome |
| Indo-Pak War 1947-48 | 1947–1948 | Pakistani tribal militias invaded Jammu and Kashmir after Partition | Maharaja Hari Singh signed Instrument of Accession; India sent troops |
UN-brokered ceasefire; Kashmir divided — part under Pakistan (PoK), part with India
|
| Indo-Pak War 1965 | 1965 | Pakistan’s Operation Gibraltar to spark insurgency in Kashmir | Heavy fighting in Kashmir and Punjab; Indian Army reached Lahore outskirts |
Ceasefire in Sept 1965; Tashkent Agreement (1966); No major territorial changes
|
| Indo-Pak War 1971 | 1971 | Civil war in East Pakistan; India intervened after refugee crisis | Pakistan attacked Indian airbases; India invaded East Pakistan; Pakistani army surrendered in Dhaka |
Creation of Bangladesh; over 90,000 Pakistani soldiers captured; major Indian victory
|
| Kargil War | 1999 | Pakistani soldiers and militants infiltrated Kargil sector across LoC | India launched Operation Vijay; Air Force and Army pushed back the intruders |
India regained all territory; Pakistan faced diplomatic criticism; war ended in July 1999
|
Recent Indo-Pak Conflict 2025
The latest India-Pakistan conflict happened in April-May 2025. It started after a deadly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir. In response, India carried out airstrikes on nine places in Pakistan, including parts of Punjab under its ‘Operation Sindoor’. Pakistan hit back using indirect tactics, targeting civilian areas to stir up tension inside India. The fight grew quickly, with heightened fears of a prolonged confrontation.
List of Other Indo-Pak Conflicts
Apart from full-scale wars, India and Pakistan have engaged in many small conflicts. These include:
| Conflict | Period | Summary |
| Siachen Conflict | 1984 Onwards | Long-standing battle over the Siachen Glacier in northern Kashmir; high-altitude warfare. |
| Kashmir Insurgency | 1989 onwards | Armed rebellion in Indian-administered Kashmir; Pakistan accused of backing militants. |
| India–Pakistan Standoff | 2001–2002 | Triggered by attack on Indian Parliament; both nations mobilized troops; war was narrowly avoided after global diplomatic pressure. |
| Mumbai Attacks | 2008 | Major terrorist attack in Mumbai by Pakistan-based militants; led to diplomatic fallout and heightened military tensions. |
| Border Skirmishes | 2011 Onwards | Frequent firing across the LoC and international border, over 3,000 incidents reported in 2017 alone. |
| Uri Attack & Surgical Strikes | 2016 | India launched cross-border "surgical strikes" after a deadly militant attack in Uri by a Pakistan-based terror group. |
| Pulwama & Balakot Airstrikes | 2019 | Suicide bombing in Pulwama killed 40 Indian soldiers; India conducted airstrikes in Balakot against responsible Pakistan-based terror group |
| India–Pakistan Standoff | 2025 | After an April 2025 attack in Kashmir by Pakistan-based terrorists, both sides escalated military actions, including missile strikes (Operation Sindoor) and drone warfare. |
The history of India-Pakistan conflicts is marked by territorial disputes and ideological differences. While both nations have engaged in wars, the threat of nuclear escalation has added a new dimension to their rivalry, with recent tensions adding fear of another war.
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India Pakistan War FAQs
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