WEB DESK-(AFP): The longstanding rivalry between Pakistan and India has been marked by a series of conflicts, skirmishes, and crises that have shaped the geopolitical landscape of South Asia. Tensions have often escalated into military confrontations, especially over the Kashmir region, which remains a core dispute.
Historical Background:
Partition and Early Conflicts (1947)
- The partition of British India in August 1947 created two independent states: Pakistan and India, predominantly Muslim and Hindu, respectively.
- The partition was marked by massive violence, resulting in over a million deaths and the displacement of around 15 million people.
- Kashmir, a princely state with a Muslim-majority population but a Hindu ruler, became a flashpoint. A UN-brokered ceasefire in 1949 established the Line of Control, dividing Kashmir into Indian and Pakistani administered zones.
Major Wars and Conflicts:
- 1965: Second Indo-Pak War
- Pakistan launched an invasion into IIOJK in August 1965, aiming to reclaim the territory.
- The war ended in September with a ceasefire brokered by the USSR and the USA, with heavy casualties on both sides.
- 1971: Bangladesh Liberation War
- Pakistan’s military crackdown in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) led to a nine-month conflict.
- India intervened militarily, resulting in the independence of Bangladesh and the loss of millions of lives.
- 1989-1990: Kashmir Uprising
- An insurgency erupted in IIOJK, with Pakistan accused of supporting militants.
- The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths over decades.
- 1999: Kargil Conflict
- Pakistani forces crossed the LoC and occupied Indian military posts in the Kargil region.
- International pressure and military setbacks forced Pakistan to withdraw, with over 1,000 casualties.
- 2019: Kashmir Tensions
- A suicide bombing in Pulwama killed 40 Indian paramilitary personnel.
- India responded with airstrikes in Pakistani-administered Kashmir, and a pilot was shot down and captured by Pakistan before being returned as a peace gesture.
The Future Outlook:
- The conflict remains unresolved, with periodic flare-ups threatening regional stability.
- Diplomatic efforts continue, but deep-rooted mistrust and historical grievances pose significant challenges to peace.
Understanding these dark chapters highlights the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving one of the world’s most enduring conflicts.
