Operation Gibraltar was a military operation undertaken by Pakistan on 5 August 1965 with the aim of infiltrating forces into the Indian-administered region of Jammu and Kashmir to incite a local uprising against Indian rule. The operation was a significant event during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.
Key points about Operation Gibraltar:
Context: The region of Jammu and Kashmir has been a contentious territory between India and Pakistan since their independence in 1947. The two countries have fought multiple wars over the region.
Objective: Pakistan's main goal with Operation Gibraltar was to destabilize the situation in Indian-administered Kashmir by sending in infiltrators and inciting a rebellion against Indian rule. This was seen as a part of Pakistan's larger strategy to support the separatist movement in the region.
Infiltration: In July 1965, Pakistani forces infiltrated Indian-administered Kashmir with the aim of creating unrest and encouraging the local population to rise against Indian authorities.
Counteraction: India's response to the infiltration was Operation Grand Slam, which aimed to cut off the Pakistani-administered Kashmir region of Azad Jammu and Kashmir from the rest of Pakistan. This operation escalated the conflict and led to the broader Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.
Ceasefire and End: The war ended with a ceasefire in September 1965, facilitated by international pressure. The war did not result in any significant territorial changes, and both sides claimed victory.
Outcome: Operation Gibraltar did not achieve its intended results. The infiltration did not spark the anticipated widespread uprising in Kashmir, and India's response with Operation Grand Slam led to a full-scale war.
Operation Gibraltar and the subsequent Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 marked a significant chapter in the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir region. The territorial and political disputes between the two countries continue to have far-reaching implications for regional stability and international relations.