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Home / IAS Preparation / Operation Gibraltar

Operation Gibraltar: Historical Background, Execution and Reasons for Failure!

Last Updated on Nov 12, 2024
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Operation Gibraltar was a covert military operation. The operation was launched by Pakistan in 1965. The goal of the operation was to incite a rebellion. The rebellion was against Indian rule in Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistani soldiers. The soldiers were disguised as Kashmiri locals. The soldiers were sent across the border. The border was into Indian-administered Kashmir. However, the operation failed due to several factors. The failure of the operation led to the outbreak of the India - Pakistan War of 1965.

Operation Gibraltar is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of Internal Security - Security Challenges and their Management in Border Areas in the General Studies Paper 3 syllabus and events in UPSC prelims.

In this article, we shall see an overview of the Historical Background, Planning, Execution, Reason for the failure of Operation Gibraltar and other facts for the UPSC exams.

What is Operation Gibraltar?

Operation Gibraltar was a military operation by Pakistan in Indian-administered Kashmir.

  • The objective was to instigate locals to revolt against the Indian Government.
  • The operation failed as the infiltration was discovered, and the locals did not revolt.
  • This caused the 1965 Indo-Pak War to start.
  • The name was selected by Pakistan to refer to the Muslim conquest of Spain from Gibraltar.
  • The idea was to attack nodal points and destroy India's communication network using armed guerrilla groups.
  • The presumption was that guerrilla attacks would lead to a revolt in Kashmir among the Muslim majority.
  • A rebel radio station purportedly set up inside Kashmir reported on the exploits of the "mujahideen" to instigate the uprising.
  • The locals did not support the operation, leading to its failure.

Read the article to learn more about the National Security Doctrine!

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How was Operation Gibraltar Planned?

India won two-thirds of Kashmir after the 1947 war. Despite this, Pakistan wanted the remaining territory. In 1962, a potential opportunity arose.

  • This opportunity followed China - Indian conflict.
  • Pakistan saw an opening to strike.
  • The ultimate aim was to acquire the remaining Kashmir territory.
  • The Gibraltar plan was developed in the early 1950s. The plan was initially conceived and prepared. The plan called for an "attack by infiltration."
  • A specially trained force of 40,000 men were used. The force was irregular, well-armed and highly motivated.
  • This plan was designed for the operation's success.
  • Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and others supported the plan. At that time, Bhutto served as the foreign minister.
  • The Pakistani military began "Operation Nusrat" for intelligence gathering.
  • The operation was started to identify gaps in the Cease Fire Line.
  • Intelligence was necessary for the success of the plan.
  • All of this was done to prepare for the operation.
  • The point of entry for the irregular force was intended. The entry point was crucial for the operation's success. 
  • Social unrest occurred in the valley. The unrest was due to the disappearance of a holy relic.
    • The relic vanished from the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar in December 1963.
  • Pakistan saw this as a perfect opportunity for an uprising and sent two forces towards Jammu and Kashmir.
    • The first was the regular Army.
    • The second was an auxiliary force made up of locals.
  • The objective was to weaken Indian resolve.
  • Another objective was to unfreeze the Kashmir issue.
  • The ultimate objective was to bring India to the negotiating table.
  • The decision ultimately sparked the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War.

Read the article to learn about the Security and Growth For all in the Region (SAGAR).

How was Operation Gibraltar Executed?

In 1965, Pakistani troops began crossing the Cease Fire Line. Commandos and irregulars joined the troops in operation. The Cease Fire Line divided Indian- and Pakistani-held Kashmir.

  • The goal of the operation was to occupy key heights.
  • Another goal was to encourage a general revolt. Direct combat was to follow the revolt.
  • Indian sources made a claim regarding the number of men.
    • The claim was that 30,000 to 40,000 men had crossed the line which was different from the number given Pakistani sourcrs.
    • The actual number of men who crossed the line was unclear.
  • The troops that crossed the line were called the "Gibraltar Force."
    • The force was given unique code names.
    • The code names were mostly after significant Muslim rulers.
    • The operation's name, Gibraltar, had Islamic connotations.
    • The name was based on the eighth-century Umayyad conquest of Hispania.
    • The conquest was launched from Gibraltar.
  • The plan for the operation had multiple prongs.
    • One part of the plan was infiltration.
    • The infiltrators would mingle with the locals.
    • The goal was to incite rebellion.
    • Guerrilla warfare was also part of the plan.
    • The guerrillas would destroy bridges, tunnels, and highways.
    • They would also attack airfields.
  • The ultimate aim of the operation was to create an "armed insurrection."
    • The insurrection was to take place in Kashmir.
    • The insurrection would lead to a national uprising.
    • The uprising would be against Indian rule.
    • Pakistan assumed that India would not counter-attack.
    • The assumption was based on the belief that the operation would succeed.
    • The ultimate goal was the liberation of Kashmir.

Read the article to learn about the Army Aviation Corps!

Why did Operation Gibraltar Fail?

The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a result of a flawed plan by the Pakistani Army. The plan aimed to infiltrate and incite rebellion in Kashmir.

  • The plan relied on the assumption of a Kashmiri revolt.
    • The assumption was based on the opportunity provided by the Pakistani Army's advance.
    • However, the assumption did not hold true.
  • The Kashmiri people did not revolt as expected.
  • The Indian Army received sufficient information to become aware of Operation Gibraltar.
  • One of the main reasons for the failure of the operation was:-
    • The lack of coordination and communication among the different military services.
  • The then Chief of the Pakistan Air Force, Air Marshal Nur Khan, highlighted the lack of coordination.
    • He stated that there was little coordination among the military services regarding the impending operation.
    • Many senior officials were against the plan.
    • They feared that its failure could lead to an all-out war with India.
    • Many officials wanted to avoid a war.
    • The lack of consensus and unity within the Pakistani leadership further compounded the situation.
  • Military experts have disagreed over whether the plan was flawed in and of itself.
  • Some analysts think that although the plan was well-conceived, it was poorly carried out.
  • Nearly all analysts, both neutral and from Pakistan, have insisted that the entire operation was a clumsy attempt.
  • The operation was doomed to collapse.

Read the article to learn about the Internal Security Forces In India and their Mandate.

Conclusion

Operation Gibraltar was a failed military operation launched by Pakistan in 1965. The infiltrators were quickly detected and neutralized by the Indian Army. The failure of Operation Gibraltar ultimately led to the outbreak of the India-Pakistan war (1965). The war ended in a stalemate. Operation Gibraltar was a misguided attempt by Pakistan. The goal was to undermine Indian control over Jammu and Kashmir. The operation ultimately failed to achieve its objectives. The failure of Operation Gibraltar led to a military conflict. The military conflict damaged the relations between India and Pakistan. The damaged relations continued for many years.

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Operation Gibraltar FAQs

The name "Operation Gibraltar" was chosen by Pakistan's leadership. The purpose of the name was to draw a parallel to the Muslim conquest of Portugal and Spain. The conquest was launched from the port of Gibraltar.

Operation Gibraltar was launched by the Pakistani military in the Indian - administered part of Kashmir in August 1965.

After the launch of Operation Gibraltar and the subsequent discovery of Pakistani infiltration, India responded. India deployed more troops in the Kashmir Valley. The Indian Army launched an assault against the infiltrators operating in the region.

Operation Gibraltar had a profound impact on the Kashmir conflict. It led to increased violence, terrorism, and the displacement of thousands of people. The legacy of the operation is still being felt today. It contributes to the ongoing instability in the region.

Operation Gibraltar was focused on the Indian-administered part of Kashmir. The strategy of the operation was to covertly cross the Line of Control. The goal of the operation was to incite the Muslim-majority Kashmiri population to revolt against the Indian Government.
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