India and Pakistan: A History of Conflict

India and Pakistan: A History of Conflict

Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated following India's recent announcement that it struck nine sites within Pakistan, including locations in the disputed Kashmir region. This action, India claims, is retaliation for the killing of 26 people, mostly tourists, in Indian-administered Kashmir, an attack India attributes to Pakistan. Pakistan has stated that a response to India's actions is underway.

This latest event underscores the long and complex history of conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations. Since their creation in 1947, India and Pakistan have engaged in multiple wars and skirmishes, primarily centered around the contested region of Kashmir.

Key Conflicts Between India and Pakistan:

• 1947: The First Kashmir War: Following the partition of British India, both India and Pakistan laid claim to Kashmir. The ensuing war ended with a UN-brokered ceasefire in 1949, dividing Kashmir between the two countries. However, the division didn't resolve the problem, as both still claim the entire region.
• 1965: The Second Kashmir War: Pakistan's attempt to seize Indian-controlled Kashmir led to a broader conflict involving ground and air forces. The war included significant tank battles and intensified the already tense relationship between the two nations.
• 1971: The Bangladesh Liberation War: This war resulted in the secession of East Pakistan, which became Bangladesh. India supported the independence movement in East Pakistan, leading to direct military conflict with Pakistan. The conflict had a devastating impact on the region and reshaped the geopolitical landscape of South Asia.
• 1999: The Kargil War: Pakistani troops infiltrated Indian-administered Kashmir, occupying strategic high-altitude positions in the Kargil region. This conflict marked the first military clash between the two countries after they both declared themselves nuclear powers, raising concerns about potential nuclear escalation.
• 2016: The Uri Attack and "Surgical Strikes": Following an attack on an Indian military base in Uri, India claimed to have conducted "surgical strikes" against militant launchpads in Pakistan. Pakistan denied any Indian incursion.
• 2019: The Pulwama Attack and Air Strikes: A suicide bombing in Pulwama, Kashmir, prompted India to launch airstrikes on what it claimed was a militant training camp inside Pakistan. Pakistan retaliated with its own air incursion, leading to a dogfight and the capture of an Indian pilot, who was later released.

The Ongoing Conflict

The recent exchange of strikes highlights the persistent instability in the region. The unresolved status of Kashmir remains the primary source of tension. As nuclear powers, any escalation between India and Pakistan carries significant global implications. Ongoing diplomatic efforts are crucial to de-escalate tensions and find a peaceful resolution to the long-standing conflict.