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New Delhi: The Indian Army has been central to India’s defence and strategic initiatives since 1947. From traditional wars to peacekeeping missions, counter-insurgency campaigns and humanitarian relief operations, it has undertaken a wide spectrum of missions. This is a chronological overview of major Indian Army operations, detailing their context, objectives, outcomes and strategic importance.
After Partition, Kashmir faced invasion by Pakistani-backed tribal fighters. Kashmir’s ruler joined India, prompting Indian forces to intervene. The Army fought in Budgam, Uri, Naushera, and Poonch, successfully halting invaders. The war ended with a UN ceasefire in January 1949, creating a ceasefire line (now the Line of Control). The conflict began the ongoing India-Pakistan rivalry over Kashmir.
The Army helped integrate states unwilling to join India. Operation Polo in 1948 swiftly integrated Hyderabad. Goa, under Portuguese control, was freed in 1961 through Operation Vijay, uniting it with India.
Disputes over Himalayan borders led China to attack India. Unprepared, India suffered heavy losses. China declared a ceasefire after capturing key areas. The war exposed weaknesses in India’s defenses and it led to military modernisation and stronger ties with the Soviet Union.
Triggered by Pakistan's failed infiltration (Operation Gibraltar) into Kashmir, the war involved large tank battles. India successfully defended Kashmir and advanced into Pakistan’s Punjab region. The conflict ended inconclusively but demonstrated India's growing military capability. It also led to closer India-USSR relations due to Western arms embargoes.
Pakistan’s violent crackdown in East Pakistan led millions of refugees into India. India intervened militarily, supporting Bengali rebels. Within two weeks, Indian troops captured Dhaka, forcing 93,000 Pakistani soldiers to surrender. Bangladesh became independent. This was India’s most decisive military victory, establishing India as a dominant regional power.
In 1984, Operation Blue Star aimed to end Sikh militancy at the Golden Temple. Militants were defeated, but the operation damaged community relations. India also occupied Siachen Glacier (Operation Meghdoot, 1984), preventing Pakistan from seizing the strategic area.
India sent peacekeeping troops (IPKF) to Sri Lanka in 1987, aiming to resolve a civil war. Initially successful (Operation Pawan), the mission faced guerrilla warfare, heavy casualties, and eventually withdrew in 1990 without ending the conflict. In 1988, Operation Cactus rapidly defeated a mercenary-led coup in the Maldives and restored the government and boosting India's regional standing.
Since 1990, the Army conducted Operation Rakshak to counter insurgency in Kashmir, reducing violence through sustained efforts. Similarly, operations in Northeast India led to ceasefires and peace accords in regions like Nagaland and Mizoram.
Pakistani troops occupied strategic heights in Kargil, Kashmir. India’s Operation Vijay reclaimed these positions after fierce battles at high altitudes. India's successful defence restored the status quo and isolated Pakistan diplomatically. It showed the importance of better surveillance and air-land coordination.
After a terrorist attack on India's Parliament in 2001, India mobilised nearly half a million troops along the Pakistan border (Operation Parakram). The standoff lasted ten months, forcing Pakistan to curb terrorism without triggering war. India also participated extensively in UN peacekeeping operations globally, gaining international respect for its professional troops.
After terror attacks in Kashmir, India conducted surgical strikes on militant bases across the LoC in 2016, signalling a tougher stance against cross-border terrorism. Similar strikes occurred on the Myanmar border against insurgents. In 2017, a standoff at Doklam (India-Bhutan-China border) ended diplomatically, showing India's determination to protect strategic territory. A more serious clash occurred in 2020 in Ladakh at Galwan Valley, causing casualties. Operation Snow Leopard allowed India to gain strategic heights, enhancing negotiation leverage against China.
The Army regularly aids in disaster relief operations, notably during the 2015 Nepal earthquake (Operation Maitri), rescuing thousands and delivering aid swiftly. Domestically, the Army’s response during disasters like the Uttarakhand floods (2013), Kashmir floods (2014), and Kerala floods (2018) showcased its critical humanitarian role. During COVID-19 (2020-21), the Army established field hospitals, provided logistics, and assisted civilian health services. These operations show the Indian Army’s continuous evolution from conventional warfare to addressing complex modern security challenges and humanitarian crises, reinforcing its essential role in safeguarding India's sovereignty and well-being.
