India–Pakistan War History: How many times has a war occurred? | What is the 8th war starting in 2025?

Relations between India and Pakistan—two nuclear-armed neighbors—have always been tense. Recently, a new chapter of military tension has been added to the history of these two countries. On May 7, 2025, India claimed that it had attacked terrorist bases inside Pakistani territory and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in a military operation called 'Operation Sindoor'. In response, firing began on the Kashmir border, in which casualties were reported on both sides.

In the wake of this incident, the history of the long and bloody conflict between India and Pakistan has once again come into discussion.

1947: Partition and the First Kashmir War.

After the end of British colonial rule, India and Pakistan emerged as separate states. But the conflict over the inclusion of the state of Kashmir during the partition led to the First Indo-Pakistani War. When Pakistani-backed tribal forces invaded Kashmir, the Maharaja of Kashmir made an agreement with India and sought Indian military assistance.

The war lasted until 1949 and ended with a ceasefire brokered by the United Nations. This resulted in the establishment of a 'ceasefire line'—now known as the 'Line of Control' (LoC).

1965: Second Kashmir War.

Pakistan again launched 'Operation Gibraltar' in 1965 to capture Kashmir. India responded militarily, and the Second Indo-Pakistani War began. Thousands of soldiers were killed on both sides in the month-long war. Finally, a ceasefire was brokered by the Soviet Union and the United States through the Tashkent Agreement.

1971: Bangladesh Liberation War and the Third War.

The Pakistani army carried out widespread violence in an attempt to suppress the mass movement and liberation war of the people of East Pakistan. As a result, more than 10 million refugees took refuge on the Indian border. In December, India intervened directly, starting the Third Indo-Pakistani War. Within 13 days, Pakistani forces surrendered, and independent Bangladesh was born—a turning point in the history of Indo-Pakistani relations.

1989–90: Beginning of the Kashmir Insurgency.

An anti-India insurgency began in Kashmir, which India considers an "armed separatist movement." India alleges that Pakistan provided training, funding, and weapons to the insurgents. Over the next three decades, thousands of people—soldiers, terrorists, and innocent civilians—were killed in the conflict.

1999: Kargil War.

In 1999, Pakistani-backed troops and militants crossed the Line of Control and captured Indian posts in the Kargil region. Indian forces put up a fierce resistance. Pakistan retreated under diplomatic pressure amid fears of nuclear war.

About 1,000 people were killed in the two-month conflict, the fourth major war between the two countries.

2019: Pulwama attack and Balakot airstrike.

In February 2019, a suicide attack in Pulwama, Kashmir, killed 40 Indian paramilitary personnel. India responded by carrying out airstrikes in Balakot, Pakistan, claiming to have destroyed a terrorist camp.

Pakistan launched a counter-airstrike, shooting down an Indian fighter jet and capturing the pilot. However, the pilot was quickly returned due to international pressure.

2025: Operation Sindoor.

The latest offensive began on 7 May 2025, when India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’. According to India, the target of the operation was Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and terrorist camps inside Pakistan, which were involved in the killing of tourists in Pahalgam. The attack was followed by exchange of fire along the border, raising fresh fears of war.

India-Pakistan relations have been repeatedly plunged into bloody conflict over the past seven decades—the epicenter of which is Kashmir. With both countries possessing nuclear weapons, each escalation has been a source of deep international concern.

Such military operations and counter-reactions inevitably lead to humanitarian catastrophe.