Exploring the 1965 Indo-Pak War: History, Background, Major Battles, and Victory

Introduction to Indo-Pak War 1965

The Indo-Pak War of 1965, or the Second Kashmir War, was a significant historical event that forever set the next course of events for India and Pakistan. This war resulted from skirmishes between these two countries between April 1965 and September 1965. India-Pakistan conflict always found its base in Pakistan’s attempt to annex the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir by any means. Even though this attempt by Pakistan failed, the tension between these two bordering countries over the northern states of India remains afresh. Controversies, allegations, and consistent unrest have always made space between them.

The war broke out when the Pakistani army infiltrated six to eight miles of Indian territory in the Rann of Kutch. This directly violated the Indo-Pak Border Agreement of 1960 and the international law as per the United Nations Charter. The neighbouring country didn’t just stop there and launched Operation Gibraltar to penetrate Jammu and Kashmir. Such aggression led to the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.

Historical Background

When locating the historical background for the Indo-Pakistan war, it is rather simple – for Kashmir. When the Pakistani diplomats failed to convince Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir, they planned a tribal invasion. It was to disrupt the state’s peace and sovereignty. At this point, the Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession with India on 26 October 1947 for immediate help to protect Jammu and Kashmir. India came to aid the endangered state, and this began the long list of India-Pakistan wars.

The first Indo-Pakistan conflict, also known as the first Kashmir War (1947-48), ended after the UN intervention. Yet, this intervention proved futile as Pakistan didn’t retreat its troops from the Indian territory. They remained in their target to occupy Kashmir – the main bone of contention. By this time, Pakistan favoured China, which wanted to increase its power across Asian countries. As a result, Pakistan launched a full-scale mission, such as Operation Gibraltar in Jammu and Kashmir, to decimate the state’s sovereignty, which led to the Indo-Pak War of 1965.

Causes of the India-Pakistan Conflict

The overarching reason for the India-Pakistan conflict was the control of Kashmir. When the British left, they formed two independent nations – Pakistan and India. However, princely states like Kashmir could merge with any of the two nations or remain independent. With its Hindu ruler and Muslim population, Kashmir chose to stay independent. The Indo-Pakistan war revolved around this important region at the geopolitical level.

The 1965 war was the second time Pakistan couldn’t respect the treaty already set forth by the UN. Let us understand several significant causes for this raging conflict between the neighbouring countries –

• The topmost reason for this decade-long contention is Kashmir’s geographic presence on the world map.
• The Indus River, which flows through Kashmir, bears great significance to agriculture in Pakistan. It is equally essential for irrigation in India. Under the Indus Water Treaty of 1960, India has more or less 16% of the total Indus water. Yet, Pakistan feared India would cut off the water supply at its source.
• Apart from the Indus River, the Kashmiri water bodies keep a huge potential to generate hydroelectricity.
• The geopolitical situation of Kashmir places at the top reason why the warring nations got into disagreement. The state serves as a bridge between South Asia and Central Asia.
• By 1965, China aided Pakistan in large aspects and propelled it to carry out a full-scale military invasion of India.

These are some of the top independent reasons you should know to learn how many wars between India and Pakistan took place.

Background Indo-Pak War 1965

In 1965, trouble brewed when Pakistani troops, disguised as locals, crossed the Line of Control (LOC) to incite insurgency in Kashmir, a plan named Operation Gibraltar. Pakistan, believing India weakened after the 1962 China defeat, aimed to take control of Kashmir. However, Operation Gibraltar failed as locals alerted Indian authorities. The Indian Army responded by capturing the Haji Pir Pass in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Pakistan initiated Operation Grand Slam to capture Akhnoor in Jammu, but India’s counterattack thwarted their plans. Aerial combat between India and Pakistan occurred for the first time, and the war officially started when India crossed the international border on September 6. 

India captured areas in the Lahore district. The war concluded on September 23 with a UN-mandated ceasefire. India held 1840 sq. km, Pakistan 540 sq. km. Despite claims of a stalemate, India emerged victorious, though Pakistan contests this. The Tashkent Agreement in January 1966 led to the return of annexed areas. The war’s intelligence failure prompted the establishment of the Research & Analysis Wing (RAW) in India.

Major Battles and Campaigns

Each country prepared itself with campaigns and for the large battles of the India-Pakistan war in 1965. Let us explore these warfare played out in this historical conflict –

• Battle of Rann of Kutch – Battle of Rann of Kutch or Operation Desert Hawk was a military operation carried out by the Pakistani army in January 1965. Pakistan launched this operation in the Kutch area to serve several purposes altogether. It was to draw the Indian army from the northern side, provoke and understand India’s military power, etc.
• Operation Gibraltar was a military operation carried out by the Pakistani military in Srinagar in August 1965. This operation was meant to destabilize the existing government in Kashmir and exclude Srinagar from the rest of the state. Such a move would also help Pakistan bring India to the negotiating table.
• Battle of Chawinda – This battle is also known as the largest battle of tanks since the Battle of Kursk in WWII. It was a part of the Sialkot campaign launched by India to counter Pakistan’s advances into Jammu and Kashmir.
• Battle of Phillora – Commenced on 10 September, this battle was a large tank battle as a part of the India-Pak War of 1965. India gained supremacy in this battle by demolishing as many as 66 battle tanks of Pakistan.

International Involvement

The Indo-Pak War of 1965 drew massive international attention. Since their independence in 1947, the two countries have been in a consistent physical and verbal battle over the disputed land of Jammu and Kashmir. This rift became more prominent when the Second Kashmir War broke out in 1965. This seventeen-day war ceased after the involvement of the USSR or Soviet Union and the USA. This international involvement to end the Indo-Pakistan war resulted in the Tashkent Declaration.

The United Nations also intervened on 20 September and passed resolutions for an immediate ceasefire that India accepted immediately, and Pakistan came around with much drama.

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Who Emerged Victorious?

If you ask who won the 1965 war, it could be problematic to offer a definite answer because both warring sides have claimed victory. However, let’s dig up some facts in this matter –

• When the India-Pakistan war of 1965 ended due to international intervention, Pakistan was not successful in its agenda to free Kashmir.
• In the end, India had an area of 1840 sq. km while Pakistan only retained 540 sq. km.
• India conceded 3000 military casualties while Pakistan lost 3800 of their soldiers approximately.
• In his book Shadow War, former New York Times reporter Asif Jamal opined that India had accepted the ceasefire agreement only after occupying a large portion of the Pakistani territory.
• At the same time, it should be noted military intelligence failed on both sides significantly. Indian military intelligence issued no warning against the impending Pakistani invasion, while Pakistani intelligence failed to understand the Kashmiri people who provided enough information to the Indian military regarding an essential part of India Pak War of 1965, Operation Gibraltar.

Comparisons with Other Indo-Pak Wars

The existing issues of Kashmir and other geopolitical reasons have kept the tension between India and Pakistan high. Several other conflicts followed after the Indo-Pak War of 1965. 1971, the Third India-Pakistan war broke out when Pakistan initiated preemptive airstrikes on the Indian Air Stations. It resulted in declaring war against Pakistan and sympathizing with the Bangladesh Liberation War. India emerged victorious after destroying the Eastern Command of Pakistan.

The Indo-Pakistan of 1965 war continued and became full-fledged again in 1999. This war, commonly known as the Kargil War, occurred when the Pakistani infiltrators crossed the Line of Control in early 1999 and captured most of the Kargil district. India retaliated by launching a full-scale military and diplomatic offensive and removing the intruded area.

Conclusion

The Indo-Pak War of 1965 played a significant role in shaping both countries’ diplomatic and geopolitical situations. While the conflict over issues like Kashmir and the Indus River will never go away between these countries, Pakistan will never be able to compete against India again. The second Kashmir War proved India’s acumen to win a battle against great odds. Even though Pakistan strategically launched the war after India’s defeat in the 1962 Indo-Sino War, they lacked the coordination and skill to win a war like this. This seventeen-day 1965 war witnessed the largest engagement of armoured vehicles and the biggest tank battles after WWII. Pakistan failed to create insurgency in Kashmir and derive support from the international level in this conflict.

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