In a series of escalated confrontations, the Indian Air Force (IA) in 1965 launched attacks on Pakistan's non-military installations, targeting civilian areas in Wazirabad, Chiniot, and Sargodha, as well as hospitals and district courts in Sialkot.
The attacks were described as acts of desperation by Indian forces.
In response, the Pakistan Army mounted a strong defense, driving Indian forces back from the Lahore and Sialkot regions.
During the retaliatory operations, Pakistani forces disabled 21 Indian tanks in Sialkot and seized a significant amount of Indian military equipment. Civilians in the area poured out of their homes to show support for the Pakistani troops.
The Indian Army suffered substantial losses, including the destruction of a 3-mile stretch of road between Srinagar and Kargil.
In a separate operation, the Pakistan Navy successfully obliterated the fortified Indian naval base and radar station at Duar after a 12-hour engagement.
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) launched a massive counteroffensive against the Indian Air Force base at Halwara, near Ludhiana. The PAF destroyed more than 70 Indian aircraft in a 36-hour operation, marking a significant blow to India's military capabilities.
Pakistan’s Armed Forces have been lauded for their swift and effective defense, with widespread public support for their actions.
