India and Pakistan have endured a long and perilous history of military conflict since they became independent in 1947. From all-out wars to clandestine operations, the competition between these nuclear nations has influenced their foreign policy, military tactics, and domestic politics. The most recent example is Operation Sindoor, an Indian military operation conducted after the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 civilians.
This attack constitutes yet another milestone in the on-going conflict, which largely centers on Kashmir and cross-border terrorism.
1947 – The First Indo-Pak War
The war started shortly after the partition of British India in 1947. Partition established two independent states, India and Pakistan, but left Jammu and Kashmir as a contested region. Pakistani tribal militias invaded the region within months in a bid to annex it. India retaliated by sending its army to defend the region.
The clashes resulted in the First Kashmir War, which raged from 1947 to 1949. A United Nations-brokered ceasefire ultimately put an end to hostilities. It created the Line of Control (LoC), which remains the de facto border even today. The issue of Kashmir has been the core cause of contention ever since.
1965 – Second Indo-Pak War
In 1965, war erupted again in Kashmir. Pakistan initiated Operation Gibraltar, a secret mission to infiltrate Indian-held Kashmir and ignite an armed rebellion. India retaliated with a full military attack on the international border.
Both countries had huge losses. After fierce battles, a ceasefire came into effect, and the Tashkent Agreement was signed with the mediation of the United States and the Soviet Union. The agreement did not resolve the core issue of the conflict. Kashmir still lingered, and tensions remained high.
1971 – Bangladesh Liberation War
The 1971 war was one of the most defining periods in India-Pakistan relations. Pakistan’s bloody suppression of the independence movement in East Pakistan saw mass atrocities being committed. Refugees by the millions poured across the border into India, compelling India to militarily intervene in favor of the Bangladeshi independence struggle.
India established a war front in the east and squarely defeated Pakistani forces. The war concluded with the establishment of Bangladesh. India’s military and strategic superiority was demonstrated. The war also changed the balance of regional power. Navy and air bombing, including against Karachi harbor, were significant aspects of India’s victory.
1999 – The Kargil War
India and Pakistan fought again in 1999 in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistani soldiers and militants crossed the LoC and took up key high-altitude positions. India initiated Operation Vijay to regain the area.
Indian troops fought doggedly in highly challenging topography. Following several weeks of bloody fighting, India re-established a majority of lost ground. The war made international headlines on fear of possible nuclear escalation. Kargil had proved a pivot, highlighting that conventional conflicts might still ignite in nuclear-equipped neighbors.
2016 – URI Attack and Surgical Strikes
In 2016, Indian Army camp at URI in Jammu and Kashmir was attacked by militants and resulted in the killing of 18 soldiers. India retaliated by precision strikes against terrorist camps in the LoC. These Surgical Strikes targeted terrorist launch pads which were being utilized to infiltrate terrorists into India.
India’s strikes signified a shift in its military stance. The government focused on pre-emptive action to destroy terror infrastructure prior to attacks happening. The operation showcased India’s changing strategy and willingness to act firmly to protect national security.
2019 – Pulwama Attack and Balakot Strike
The 2019 Pulwama terror attack killed 40 CRPF personnel and sparked a major crisis. India retaliated with an air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Balakot, Pakistan. This marked the first Indian air strike across the international border since the 1971 war.
India asserted that the operation gave the terror outfit a severe blow. Pakistan challenged the damage but retaliated with air strikes of its own. The fighter jets from both sides engaged in dog fights. The world watched anxiously, worried that it would escalate. The episode reaffirmed India’s resolve to attack terrorist targets outside its territory when needed.
2025 – Operation Sindoor
In 2025, India initiated Operation Sindoor following a deadly terror strike in Pahalgam that had claimed the lives of 26 civilians. Indian forces attacked nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir within 25 minutes, killing over 80 militants.
The operation also targeted establishments connected with the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. India wanted to destroy important terror infrastructure and issue a message of zero tolerance. Operation Sindoor emphasized India’s new military strategy — quick and decisive response to terrorist provocations.
Is Tension Looming on the Horizon?
The extended history of violence is a manifestation of the mutual distrust between India and Pakistan. Despite of waging wars and initiating military operations, the two nations are still in a state of enmity. Kashmir remains the central problem, with both sides refusing to budge.
The question now is whether both countries can find the means to dampen tensions and prevent another extensive war. The world’s biggest powers, such as the United States and China, have urged restraint on both sides and encouraged the resumption of dialogue. But with nuclear weapons on the table, stakes are perilously high.
India’s military strategy, as reflected in Operation Sindoor, reflects a penchant for aggressive counter-terrorist strikes. Pakistan, on the other hand, insists it will respond to any cross-border raids. This stalemate keeps the specter of escalation alive. Diplomacy, however, remains an available avenue to peace — if both countries are willing to take it.
Kashmir to Sindoor: Conflict on the Brink
Since the First Kashmir War to Operation Sindoor, India-Pakistan has been fueled by territorial conflicts, terrorism, and military confrontations. Kashmir has been the hotspot of tension. Despite both having engaged in multiple wars, fear of a wider conflict still lurks.
The world needs to continue nudging India and Pakistan to negotiate. Through back-channel diplomacy or global mediation, peace is still a possibility. But until then, every military action and every terror attack push the region closer to the precipice. Only consistent dialogue and political will can alter the course of history.
