Page 1 - ch 18

India-Pakistan War-1965 Module - V

Major Wars Post
Independence

18

INDIA-PAKISTAN WAR-1965 Note

Yet another war between India and Pakistan was fought in 1965. It was the second
conflict between the two countries over the state of Jammu and Kashmir. You are
aware of the problems of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan wanting Kashmir to be
part of it. Other than J&K, this time Pakistan raised a boundary dispute in the Rann of
Kutch in Gujarat. There were clashes between both the armies in the Rann of Kutch
from January 1965 onwards. In J&K Pakistan army sent Mujahideen forces in large
numbers to take over Kashmir. Both nations increased their hostilities towards each
other and finally a war broke out in September 1965. Pakistan was thoroughly defeated
in this war. International community consisting of USA and Russia prevented any further
escalation and the war came to an end on 23 September 1965. In this war the Air
Forces of both the countries participated and a number of aerial combats were seen.
Former New York Times reporter Arif Jamal wrote in his book Shadow War -This
time, India's victory was nearly total: India accepted cease-fire only after it had occupied
740 square miles, though Pakistan had made marginal gains of 210 square miles of
territory. Despite the obvious strength of the Indian wins, both countries claim to have
been victorious.

Objectives

After studying the lesson, you will be able to:
 explain the causes of war between India and Pakistan during 1965 and

 describe the areas involved in the battle and bring out the strategies adopted by
both the countries.

18.1 War between India and Pakistan (1965)

The war of 1965 was a combination of the 1947 Kashmir dispute and a territorial
claim in the area of the Rann of Kutch by Pakistan. It was Pakistan which started the
war.

49
MILITARY HISTORY 49