From tribal militias to Parliament to Pahalgam

India has endured a long and painful history of terror attacks that stretches back to the very moment of its Independence. What began in 1947 with armed tribal militias crossing into Jammu and Kashmir soon evolved into a sustained campaign of proxy warfare and organised terrorism. Over the decades, the nature of the attacks has grown increasingly sophisticated in the 21st century, targeting not only security forces but also civilians and institutions of the nation.

From the initial assault on the then-princely state of Jammu and Kashmir to audacious strikes such as the terror attack on the Indian Parliament, and more recently, acts of violence at tourist destinations like Pahalgam, these incidents have repeatedly tested India’s internal security and challenged its sovereignty.
As India recalls the day its Parliament was attacked 24 years ago, here is a look back at the chronology of terror attacks the nation has faced.
NatStrat, a think tank helped UNI put together this chronology, which really started right after independence, with Pakistan using tribal militias to attack Kashmir, then a princely state.

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The chronology traces a pattern of sustained proxy warfare, evolving into sophisticated terrorist networks supported, trained, or sheltered from across the border.
India’s responses have evolved in parallel, shifting from reactive security measures to more assertive and punitive actions, ranging from Intelligence crackdowns, counter-infiltration operations to surgical strikes, which treat major acts of terror as an act of war against India.

Phase I: 1947–1971
1947–1948 – Tribal Invasion Pakistani Army–backed Pashtun tribal militias invade Jammu & Kashmir, triggering the first India–Pakistan war. Since the 1960s – Support to Insurgents in Northeast India Pakistani intelligence supports Naga and Mizo insurgent groups through training and logistics in East Pakistan. 1965 – Operation Gibraltar Pakistani troops infiltrate Jammu & Kashmir disguised as civilians to incite an uprising, leading to the 1965 war. 1971 – Operation Chengiz Khan Pakistan launches pre-emptive air strikes on Indian airbases, starting the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh.

Phase II: 1972–1989
1971 – Hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight “Ganga” Aircraft hijacked from Srinagar to Lahore and blown up after passengers are released. 1984 – Murder of Indian Diplomat Ravindra Mhatre (UK) Kidnapped and killed by Kashmir Liberation Army operatives linked to Pakistan. 1984 – Indian Airlines Hijacking to Lahore Sikh separatists divert a domestic flight; ISI involvement later established. 1980s – ISI Support to Khalistan Movement Training, arming, and financing of Sikh extremist groups operating in Punjab.

Phase III: 1990–2000
1989 onwards – Kashmir Insurgency (K2 Project) Pakistan intensifies proxy war in Jammu & Kashmir using groups like JKLF, Hizbul Mujahideen, LeT, and JeM. 1993 – Mumbai Serial Bomb Blasts Coordinated explosions kill 257 people; ISI-linked D-Company involved. 1996 – Lajpat Nagar Bomb Blast, Delhi Car bomb kills 13 civilians. 1998 – Coimbatore Bombings Twelve explosions kill 58 people ahead of an election rally. 1999 – Kargil War Pakistani troops infiltrate Indian territory along the LoC under militant cover. 1999 – IC-814 Hijacking Indian Airlines flight hijacked to Kandahar; passengers released after India frees Masood Azhar. 2000 – Red Fort Attack Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists kill security personnel inside the Red Fort complex.

Phase IV: 2001–2009
2001 – Indian Parliament Attack Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists storm Parliament complex; attack brings India and Pakistan to the brink of war. 2002 – Akshardham Temple Attack Terrorists kill devotees at the Ahmedabad temple complex. 2005 – Delhi Serial Bombings Explosions during Diwali kill dozens. 2006 – Mumbai Local Train Bombings Coordinated blasts kill over 180 commuters. 2008 – Indian Embassy Bombing, Kabul Suicide attack targets Indian diplomatic mission. 2008 – 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks Lashkar-e-Taiba gunmen kill 166 people across Mumbai.

Phase V: 2010–2025
2010 – German Bakery Blast, Pune 2016 – Pathankot Air Base Attack 2016 – Uri Army Camp Attack 2016 – Nagrota Army Camp Attack 2019 – Pulwama Suicide Bombing Jaish-e-Mohammed attack kills 40 CRPF personnel. 2025 – Pahalgam Terror Attack
(NatStrat is an independent, not-for-profit centre for research on strategic and security issues)