Since its establishment in 1947, Pakistan has been involved in numerous armed conflicts both locally and around the world. The main focus of its military operations have both historically and currently been on neighbouring India—against whom Pakistan has fought four major wars in addition to commonly-recurring border skirmishes and standoffs. The two nations have had a hostile and turbulent relationship since their independence from the United Kingdom and subsequent war over the Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir. Both India and Pakistan claim Kashmir in its entirety but have not exercised control over the entire region, which remains divided and contested between the two states by the Line of Control. The Kashmir conflict has seen extensive—albeit unsuccessful—intervention and mediation by the United Nations.
Pakistan has also had a turbulent relationship with neighbouring Afghanistan,[1] characterized by armed border skirmishes and periods of diplomatic tension. The Pakistani government has increased military activity along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border and built a border barrier to crack down on illegal immigration, militancy,[2] and smuggling.[3] [4]
Outside of its home region of South Asia, Pakistan has also engaged in international conflicts in the Middle East and Africa as part of larger coalitions, and remains one of the largest contributors of troops to various United Nations peacekeeping missions. The country was designated as a major non-NATO ally by the United States in 2004,[5] and has participated extensively in the American-led War on Terror following the 9/11 attacks.
| Conflict | Pakistan and allies | Opponents | Results | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indonesian War of Independence (1945–1949) |  IndonesiaSupported by:
|  Netherlands
(until 1946)
Japan (until 1946) Supported by:
| VictoryIndonesian independence from the Netherlands.
| |
| First Indo-Pakistani War (1947–1948)[11] |  Furqan Force |  Jammu and Kashmir | Ceasefire[12]
| |
| Waziristan rebellion (1948–1954) | | Faqir of Ipi's forces
| VictoryFailure to foment an extensive uprising | |
| First Balochistan conflict (1948)[17] | | Kalat insurgents | Victory[18]
| |
| Korean War(1950–1953)[19] [20] | ---- United Nations          Supported by: | ---- Supported by: | Stalemate[22]
| |
| Second Balochistan conflict (1958–1959)[23] | | Kalat insurgents | Victory[24]
| |
| Third Balochistan conflict (1963–1969)[25] | | Kalat insurgents | Victory | |
| Second Indo-Pakistani War (1965) | | | Inconclusive
| |
| Al-Wadiah War (1969)[27] | [28] [29] | Victory
| ||
| Black September (1970 - 1971) |  JordanForeign involvement: | PLO | Victory
| |
| Bangladesh Liberation War (From March 1971) Third Indo-Pakistani War (From Dec 1971) | |  Provisional Government of Bangladesh | Defeat
| |
| Fourth Balochistan Conflict (1973–1978)[31] [32] | | BLA | Victory[33]
| |
| Dir rebellion (1976) |
| Dir rebels | Victory | |
| Soviet–Afghan War (1979–1989)[36] | Afghan Mujahideen |  Afghanistan | Victory | |
| Sri Lankan Civil War (1983–2009) |  Sri Lanka[37] [38] [39] India Further support:
| Victory
| ||
| Second Afghan Civil War (1989–1992) | Afghan Mujahideen rebels Afghan Interim Government[40] [41]
Khalq (1990)[44] Foreign Mujahideen: ----Various factions also fought among each other | Afghan PDPA Government Supported by: Soviet Union (until 1991) Commonwealth of Independent States (from 1991)[49]
| VictoryInterim Afghan Government victory
| |
| Gulf War[50] (1990–1991) | < | -- COUNTRIES THAT DID NOT DEPLOY ANY MILITARY UNITS SHOULD NOT BE INCLUDED. --> ---- | Iraq | Victory[51]
|
| Afghan Civil War (1992–1996) | (from late 1994) Khalq (pro Taliban factions, from late 1994) (from early 1996) Supported by: [52] |
Supported by: | VictoryTaliban victory
| |
| Afghan Civil War (1996–2001) | Islamic State (Northern Alliance) | Stalemate
| ||
| Kargil War (1999) | | | Defeat
| |
| War in North-West PakistanFirst Phase:- (16 March 2004–22 February 2017)[59] [60] ----Drone war (2004–2018) Part of the war on terror and the War in North-West Pakistan Location: Pakistan | ---- Pakistan[61] [62]
Supported by: | Taliban Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan
----ISIL-aligned groups | Victory[70]
----United States-Allied Victory
| |
| Fifth Balochistan Conflict (2004–present)[79] | | BLA | Ongoing[80] [81]
| |
| War in Iraq (2013 - 2017) |  IraqPeshmerga Sinjar Alliance---- CJTF–OIR
Further support:- | ISIL Ansar al-Islam SCJL Naqshbandi Army Mujahideen Army | Victory
| |
| War in North-West PakistanSecond Phase:- (23 February 2017 – present)[87] [88] [89] | | Taliban (major in the Durand Line border skirmishes)[90] [91]
----ISIL-aligned groups | Ongoing[92] |
France
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