Pre-war escalation Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

a declassified state department letter confirms existence of hundreds of infiltrators in indian-administered part of disputed kashmir region. dated during events running 1965 war.

since partition of british india in 1947, pakistan , india remained in contention on several issues. although kashmir conflict predominant issue dividing nations, other border disputes existed, notably on rann of kutch, barren region in indian state of gujarat. issue first arose in 1956 ended india regaining control on disputed area. pakistani patrols began patrolling in territory controlled india in january 1965, followed attacks both countries on each other s posts on 8 april 1965. involving border police both nations, disputed area witnessed intermittent skirmishes between countries armed forces. in june 1965, british prime minister harold wilson persuaded both countries end hostilities , set tribunal resolve dispute. verdict, came later in 1968, saw pakistan awarded 350 square miles (910 km) of rann of kutch, against original claim of 3,500 square miles (9,100 km).

after success in rann of kutch, pakistan, under leadership of general ayub khan, believed indian army unable defend against quick military campaign in disputed territory of kashmir indian military had suffered loss china in 1962 in sino-indian war. pakistan believed population of kashmir discontented indian rule , resistance movement ignited few infiltrating saboteurs. pakistan attempted ignite resistance movement means of covert infiltration, codenamed operation gibraltar. pakistani infiltrators discovered, however, presence reported local kashmiris, , operation ended unsuccessfully.