Indo-Pak War: History and Conflicts

Written by: Anshika Shekhar

Cover Design by: Sarayu Goriparti

In 1947, British India was divided into Pakistan and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). India was to remain a Hindu-majority country, while Pakistan and Bangladesh were supposed to be Islamic-majority countries. Since then, many conflicts over land, identity, and religion have caused conflicts and war between India and Pakistan, resulting in bloodshed and a strained relationship between the two governments. Background Information Before the partition, the two groups got along without issue, and coexisted with each other. The effects of the partition displaced over 15 million people, and killed 1 million. The separation of British India caused panic and fear to arise in communities. What was to come set up hatred between the two groups that carried out for decades ahead. The Beginning of it all The first widespread massacres of the Muslim population began in Kolkata, a city in South India, in 1946. Some newspapers back in England were comparing the streets to scenes that took place in Nazi Soon after the borders of the newly independent India were announced in 1947, trains going to and from Lahore, Pakistan, and Mumbai, India started their journey. Hindus in Lahore were targeted and many were killed by bombs. Stations were filled with violence and many dead bodies. The Kargil War About 50 years after the Partition, the conflict seriously escalated into war. The Kargil War was a period of fighting between the countries of Pakistan and India from May 3rd, 1999 to July 26th, 1999.

It started with Pakistan's military invading India's territory of Kashmir, specifically taking over and stationing themselves in the Kargil district. On July 26th, after months of fighting and planning, the Indian Army was able to take back the posts and stations that had been occupied, resulting in an Indian victory.

Over 500 men were killed on the Indian side, while it is estimated 400-4,000 troops on the Pakistani side. However, thousands of civilians were displaced, and only 30% have returned back to their property. Soon after the borders of the newly independent India were announced in 1947, trains going to and from Lahore, Pakistan, and Mumbai, India started their journey. Hindus in Lahore were targeted and many were killed by bombs. Stations were filled with violence and many dead bodies.

Jammu and Kashmir The main source of the conflict and fighting between India and Pakistan is almost always over a disputed region in northern India, called Jammu and Kashmir, more often referred to as Kashmir. This state borders Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan.

In 1947, Pakistan occupied part of western Kashmir now called POK, or "Pakistan Occupied Kashmir". This occurred during the first Indo-Pakistan War of 1947-1948. China also occupies a part of Kashmir on the Eastern side acquired from Pakistan in 1963, in a deal that exchanged the land with nuclear technology and weapons. Currently, tensions rise every now and then on the Line of Control, a military control line separating POK and the Indian part of Kashmir. The conflict is extremely complicated and goes back for half a century. This region causes such a conflict because both countries have repeatedly tried to argue the region belongs to them. Kashmir is a Muslim-majority state, which is part of the reason Pakistan would like to have it. India argues that because the British included that land when dividing up the countries that it belongs to them, and since 1947, Kashmir's king Hari Singh agreed to the Instrument of Accession, which formally made Kashmir part of India. This has caused many battles and wars between the two countries, the most recent being the Kargil War.

The Situation Today Kashmir remains disputed today. In August 2019, the Indian government revoked Kashmir's status in the Indian Constitution, making Kashmir independently handle all of its communications, foreign affairs, and defense.

Map of Kashmir Today (red is chinese occupied land, green is Pakistan, and beige is India)

• Kashmir: How Line of Control has changed in 70 years

• The Bloody Legacy of Indian Partition

• Kargil: The forgotten victims of the world's highest war

• Kargil War: All you need to know about Kargil War

• The Kashmir conflict: How did it start?

• The Forgotten Fact of “China-Occupied Kashmir” | Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses