Indo-Pak 1965 war's 50th anniversary: Everything you must know about it

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of India-Pakistan 1965 war, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government has planned events from Friday, Aug 28 to Saturday, Sept 26 in the national capital New Delhi.

Today on Friday, Aug 28, President Pranab Mukherjee will lay the wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti.

Let us know all about India-Pakistan 1965 war:

• The 17-day war was fought between Sept 6, 1965 to Sept 22, 1965 in Kashmir and along the International Border.
• However, skirmishes began in Jan 1965 when Pakistani troops began patrolling at the Indian territory. The conflict between the two nations began on April 8, 1965 in the Rann of Kutch.
• Following Pakistan's covert infiltration 'Operation Gibraltor', India had launched a military attack on West Pakistan.
• In June 1965, the then British prime minister Harold Wilson had convinced both India and Pakistan to end the rancour and to resolve the dispute.
• In Aug 1965, Pakistan had launched a military attack, in an attempt to create an uprising in Kashmir Valley.
• On Aug 28, 1965, India had captured Haji Pir pass, that links Uri and Poonch.
• On Sept 1, 1965, Pakistan launched 'Operation Grand Slam', to capture Akhnoor in Jammu.
• Thousands of casualties were reported from both sides of the border.
• On Sept 16, 1965, the then prime minister Dr Lal Bahadur Shastri had written a letter to the then US president Lyndon Johnson, informing him that New Delhi is willing to agree to an unconditional ceasefire.
• The letter was sent after Pakistani foreign minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutoo had told US that Pakistan would not give up its claim over Kashmir.
• Following the diplomatic intervention by the US and Soviet Union, the war ended with a ceasefire on Sept 22, 1965 and Tashkent Declaration.
• At the time of truce, India had captured 1,920 sq km of Pakistani territory while Pakistan had captured 550 sq km Indian territory. However, both India and Pakistan claim victory in 1965 war, but India had an upper hand.
• Every year on Sept 6, Pakistan celebrates Defence Day, to mark the 1965 war.
• Indian Air Force (IAF) and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) were engaged in large-scale aerial combat for the first time since independence. IAF had taken 3,937 sorties while PAF flew 2,364 sorties.
• 1965 war also witnessed the largest tank battles, since World War II.