India-Pakistan Attacks and Wars Since 1947

The Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, which killed several innocent tourists, has once again brought India-Pakistan tensionsinto the spotlight. Sadly, this is not an isolated event — it reflects a long history of conflict, mistrust, and unresolved disputes between the two nations.

Since their separation in 1947, India and Pakistan have been involved in multiple wars, border clashes, and terrorist incidents. The ongoing Kashmir dispute has remained a key trigger, turning political friction into frequent violence. Over time, the conflict has evolved from open war to proxy attacks and cross-border terrorism.

In this blog, we take a closer look at the Pahalgam attack, and then step back to understand the broader pattern. We’ll examine the major wars and terror attacks, how India has responded over time, and what legal frameworks exist to deal with such ongoing tensions. Let’s begin.

Why do India-Pakistan keep clashing?

The ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan can be traced back to their partition in 1947, which left deep emotional and political scars on both nations. When British India was divided, over 14 million people were displaced, leading to violent riots and large-scale migrations. The division of land, particularly over the Kashmir region, has fueled animosity ever since.

The Kashmir dispute remains the most significant source of tension between the two countries. Both India and Pakistan claim Kashmir as their own, but India controls the larger portion, while Pakistan administers the smaller region. This disagreement has led to three major wars and countless border skirmishes over the years.

The involvement of non-state actors like terrorist organizations has only made matters worse. Groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, based in Pakistan, have carried out attacks in India, leading to further distrust and military retaliation. Despite efforts for peace, the unresolved issues continue to fuel violence and undermine any chances of long-term reconciliation.

Spotlight: The 2025 Pahalgam Attack

On April 22, 2025, India faced yet another heartbreaking terror attack — this time in the popular tourist town of Pahalgam, located in the scenic Baisaran Valley of Jammu and Kashmir. A group of armed terrorists attacked a convoy of tourists, opening fire and throwing grenades. The attack killed 26 people, including 25 Indian tourists and one Nepali citizen, and injured many others.

Unlike previous attacks that mainly targeted soldiers or security camps, the Pahalgam attack was aimed at innocent civilians, including families and children on vacation. This shift in target deeply shocked the nation.

Claim of Responsibility and Confusion

Initially, The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack. However, the group retracted its claim just a day later, stating that their social media account had been hacked. This added confusion and fueled suspicion about the true perpetrators.

India immediately pointed fingers at Pakistan-based terror networks, claiming that the attackers had received training and weaponry support from across the border.

India’s Military Response: Operation Sindoor

In retaliation, India launched “Operation Sindoor” on May 6, 2025, which involved a series of precision airstrikes and drone operations targeting terror camps in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The operation aimed to eliminate terrorist infrastructure while avoiding civilian and military zones.

India’s Diplomatic and Legal Responses

India also took decisive diplomatic actions following the attack:

1. Suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, halting the water-sharing agreement with Pakistan.

2. Closed the Attari-Wagah border crossing, which is a key overland crossing between India and Pakistan, where thousands of trucks, goods, and passengers cross every day. It is one of the last remaining physical border points for trade and travel between the two countries.

3. Expelled Pakistani diplomats and withdrew Indian diplomatic staff from Islamabad.

4. Imposed a travel ban on Pakistani nationals and canceled all previously issued visas.

5. Suspended the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani citizens.

Pakistan's government quickly denied involvement in the attack, accusing India of violating its sovereignty. In response, Pakistan launched retaliatory strikes under “Operation Bunyan al-Marsus”. The situation rapidly escalated, with both countries exchanging fire across the Line of Control (LoC). Tensions reached a boiling point, and many feared the conflict could escalate into a full-scale war.

Fortunately, a ceasefire was brokered on May 10, 2025, through diplomatic intervention by the United States and other global powers. However, trust between India and Pakistan reached a new low, and border tensions remain high.

The Pahalgam attack raises several important legal questions:

• How can a country prove that another is helping terror groups operating from its soil?

• Can India take the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or the United Nations (UN) to hold Pakistan accountable?

• What role does international law play when non-state actors like terrorist organizations are allowed to operate with relative freedom within a country’s borders?

The attack serves as a reminder that terrorism remains a persistent threat in the region, requiring strong military, diplomatic, and legal responses to ensure peace and security in South Asia.

Now, let's explore the previous terror attacks and wars between India & Pakistan.

Major Terror Attacks and India’s Counterstrikes

(Chronological but focused on high-impact events)

Over the past few decades, India has been the target of several high-profile terrorist attacks, many linked to Pakistan-based terror groups. Each attack has provoked strong responses from India, from military operations to diplomatic efforts aimed at holding Pakistan accountable. Let’s take a closer look at four significant terror attacks and India’s response:

2001 Indian Parliament Attack

Date: December 13, 2001

What Happened?
India faced one of the most shocking terrorist attacks in its history when five armed terrorists stormed the Indian Parliament building in New Delhi while it was in session.

• Most ministers and MPs had already left, but several security personnel were killed while defending the building.
• The terrorists drove a car full of explosives and began firing as they tried to enter the main hall.
• In the gunbattle that followed, all five attackers were killed, along with nine security personnel and one gardener.

India’s Response

India quickly blamed Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) — two Pakistan-based terror groups with known connections to previous attacks in India.

• Operation Parakram: A large-scale military mobilization along the India-Pakistan border, with tanks, soldiers, and fighter jets on high alert for nearly 10 months.
• Diplomatic pressure from the U.S. and other countries helped avoid war.
• Pakistan denied involvement but banned some terror groups under international pressure, though many reappeared under different names.

Legal Angle

The attack highlighted the need for stronger international cooperation in holding countries accountable for supporting or sheltering terror groups.

• Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), 2002: Pushed for by India to tighten anti-terror laws, although it was later repealed.
• It raised the legal question: Can a country be held responsible if it harbors terror groups that attack another nation?

2008 Mumbai Attacks (26/11)

Date: November 26–29, 2008

What Happened?

Ten terrorists from the Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) carried out a series of coordinated attacks across Mumbai.

• The attackers arrived by sea, hijacking an Indian fishing boat and sailing from Karachi, Pakistan to Mumbai.
• Once in the city, the attackers split into groups and targeted several locations:
  • Taj Mahal Palace Hotel
  • Oberoi Trident Hotel
  • Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station
  • Leopold Café
  • Nariman House (Jewish community center)
• The attackers used automatic weapons and grenades, killing 166 people (Indian citizens and foreign nationals) and injuring hundreds more.
• The attackers held hostages in the Taj and Oberoi hotels for over 60 hours, with the nation watching the events unfold live on television.
• Outcome: Nine attackers were killed by Indian security forces. The only surviving attacker, Ajmal Kasab, confessed to being trained and sent by LeT in Pakistan. His trial became a landmark legal case in India, and he was executed in 2012 after full due process.

India’s Response

• The attack exposed critical weaknesses in India’s intelligence, coastal security, and police preparedness.
• In response, India:
  • Created the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to handle terrorism-related cases.
  • Enhanced coastal surveillance systems to prevent future infiltrations.
  • Introduced stricter anti-terror laws and increased training for special forces like the NSG (National Security Guard).

• India also presented evidence to Pakistan and the international community, showing that LeT was responsible for the attack, and that it was coordinated from Pakistani soil. Despite this, Pakistan denied involvement, though some Pakistani nationals were later arrested in connection with the planning.

Legal Angle

• The trial of Ajmal Kasab became a key moment in India’s legal fight against terrorism, highlighting the complexities of prosecuting terrorists.
• The case also became part of the global push for stronger counterterrorism laws and international cooperation in addressing terror.

2016 Uri Attack & Surgical Strikes

Date: September 18, 2016

What Happened?

• In the early hours of the morning, four heavily armed terrorists attacked the Indian Army’s brigade headquarters in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, while soldiers were resting in temporary tents.
• The attackers threw grenades and opened fire, killing 19 Indian soldiers and injuring several others. It was one of the worst attacks on Indian forces in recent years.
• All four attackers were killed by security forces after a fierce gunfight.

India’s Response

• India quickly attributed the attack to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a Pakistan-based terror group, after evidence from weapons, food packets, and GPS tracking suggested the attackers crossed the LoC from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
• Surgical Strikes: Just ten days later, on September 28–29, 2016, India carried out surgical strikes across the LoC, targeting terrorist launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
  • The operation was carefully planned and executed, with India releasing footage to prove it.
  • This marked the first time India officially acknowledged a cross-border military strike in response to terrorism.
• Pakistan’s Denial: Pakistan denied the strikes, calling it a “media stunt”, but the international community largely supported India’s right to self-defense.

Legal Angle

The Uri attack and India’s response raised important legal questions:

• Can a country take military action across borders in self-defense against non-state actors?
• How do such actions align with Article 51 of the UN Charter, which allows self-defense?

To understand the importance of the Line of Control (LoC) in these conflicts, check out our detailed explanation here.

2019 Pulwama Attack & Balakot Airstrike

Date: February 14, 2019

What Happened?

• A suicide bomber rammed an explosive-filled car into a convoy of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) buses near Pulwama, killing 40 Indian security personnel.
• The bomber was a local militant from Kashmir, but the attack was claimed by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a Pakistan-based terrorist group.
• This attack shocked the nation, leading to widespread grief and anger. It also exposed a major intelligence failure, as the convoy was not given special protection despite being in a sensitive area.

India’s Response

India reacted swiftly and decisively.

• Balakot Airstrike: On February 26, 2019, the Indian Air Force carried out airstrikes in Balakot, Pakistan, targeting a JeM training camp.
  • This marked the first time India had bombed targets in mainland Pakistan since the 1971 war.
  • The operation was named “Operation Bandar”.
• Pakistan's Response: Pakistan denied that the camp was hit or that there were any casualties. The next day, Pakistan launched its own air operation, and Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured. He was later released by Pakistan as a goodwill gesture.

Legal Angle

The Pulwama attack and India’s Balakot airstrikes raised significant legal questions:

• Can a country take military action across borders in self-defense against non-state actors?
• What is the responsibility of a state when terrorist groups operate from its territory?

• Can India take Pakistan to an international court for supporting terrorism?

📌 Did You Know?

India presented detailed evidence to international bodies and pushed for Masood Azhar, the leader of JeM, to be declared a global terrorist by the United Nations. This designation was finally granted in May 2019.

Major Wars Between India and Pakistan

(Short, impactful breakdown of full-scale wars)

Since their partition in 1947, India and Pakistan have fought several major wars, often over the disputed region of Kashmir. These conflicts have shaped the military and diplomatic strategies of both nations, as well as their longstanding rivalry. From the first Kashmir war in 1947 to the Kargil conflict in 1999, each war has left deep scars, influenced international relations, and shaped the future of the region. In this section, we will take a closer look at the key wars between India and Pakistan and the impact they had on the political landscape.

1947–48 War (Tribal invasion & Kashmir accession)

Date: October 1947 – January 1949

What Happened?

After India’s independence, tribal militias from Pakistan, supported by Pakistan’s military, invaded the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. At that time, Kashmir’s ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh, was undecided about joining India or Pakistan, he was trying to stay neutral.

• The attackers looted towns, killed civilians, and spread fear. In response, the Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession, making Kashmir part of India.
• Indian troops were sent to defend Kashmir, leading to the First Indo-Pak War.

The war saw heavy fighting along the borders, with Pakistan-backed tribal forces attempting to gain control of the region. After intense fighting, Indian forces successfully pushed back the invaders, but the conflict was brought to an end by UN intervention in January 1949.

Outcome:

• Ceasefire—The war ended after UN intervention, establishing the Line of Control (LoC) and dividing Kashmir into Indian-controlled Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-controlled Azad Kashmir.
• The LoC remains a heavily contested boundary between India and Pakistan, with regular tensions and skirmishes along the border.

For more details on the aftermath of the 1947 war and how it shaped India-Pakistan relations, check out our blog on the Indo-Pak War of 1947 here.

1965 War (Kashmir and Operation Gibraltar)

Date: August – September 1965

What Happened?

The 1965 war was primarily about Kashmir once again. Pakistan believed that the people of Kashmir were unhappy under Indian rule and that they would support a Pakistani takeover.

• Pakistan’s Plan: Pakistan launched “Operation Gibraltar”, which involved sending soldiers disguised as locals to infiltrate Indian-controlled Kashmir and start an uprising against India.
• But the local Kashmiri people did not support the Pakistani infiltrators, and the plan failed to gain traction. This failure escalated into a full-scale war.
• The war saw major battles in Kashmir and also along the Punjab border, which became a major focus of military engagements.

Outcome:

• Ceasefire—After 17 days of intense fighting, both countries agreed to a ceasefire brokered by the UN and the Soviet Union.
• The Tashkent Agreement was signed in 1966, which aimed to restore pre-war positions and led to the end of the war. However, the agreement did not resolve the underlying Kashmir issue.

The ceasefire restored the status quo, but it deepened the distrust between India and Pakistan, setting the stage for future conflicts.

1971 War (Bangladesh Liberation & Naval Battle incl. Ghazi)

Date: December 3 – December 16, 1971

What Happened?

This war was not about Kashmir but about Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan. India intervened after Pakistani forces used brutal force against Bengali civilians.

• The people of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) sought independence due to ethnic and political differences with West Pakistan. When Pakistani forces brutally repressed the independence movement, millions of refugees fled to India, creating a humanitarian crisis.
• In response to the violence and to support Bangladesh’s struggle for independence, India intervened militarily.
• India’s military swiftly defeated Pakistan’s forces in 13 days, and 90,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered in Dhaka. This defeat marked one of Pakistan’s biggest military losses.

During the conflict, the PNS Ghazi, a Pakistani submarine, sank under mysterious circumstances, believed to be caused by the Indian Navy, although the details remain unclear.

Outcome:

• Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation, ending Pakistan’s control over East Pakistan.
• Over 90,000 Pakistani soldiers were taken as prisoners of war, marking a massive defeat for Pakistan.

1999 Kargil War (High-altitude infiltration)

Date: May – July 1999

What Happened?

In 1999, Pakistan-backed militants and Pakistani soldiers infiltrated the Kargil sector in Jammu and Kashmir, seizing key mountain peaks overlooking India’s vital highway connecting Leh and Srinagar.

• These positions posed a serious threat to India’s supply lines and military logistics.
• India launched “Operation Vijay” to reclaim the territory, backed by airstrikes through “Operation Safed Sagar” carried out by the Indian Air Force.
• Pakistan initially denied that its army was involved, but evidence showed that Pakistan's army played a direct role in the infiltration.

Outcome:

• India successfully regained most of the territory, and international pressure forced Pakistan to withdraw.
• Over 500 Indian soldiers died, while Pakistan suffered heavy casualties.

The Kargil War occurred just a year after both countries developed nuclear weapons. This raised global concerns about the potential for nuclear escalation into something far more devastating was a real threat.

This war, though limited in geography, had lasting impacts. Learn how it's remembered annually on Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Conclusion

In 1947, British India was divided into two countries — India and Pakistan. This partition was not just a political change; it was a moment of deep pain and violence. Millions of people had to leave their homes and cross borders, often facing tragic losses on the way. This painful beginning set the tone for a tense relationship between the two nations.

One of the biggest problems that came out of this separation was the issue of Kashmir. At the time of partition, princely states had the option to join either India or Pakistan. The Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, a Muslim-majority state ruled by a Hindu king, chose to join India. Pakistan disagreed, and this led to the first war between India and Pakistan in 1947. Since then, Kashmir has remained a major point of conflict and continues to affect peace in the region.