India and Pakistan: The deadly history of the neighbours born from conflict

At the heart of the conflicts has been the disputed mountainous territory of Kashmir, which borders both nations and is divided into an Indian and Pakistani section. Both believe the region should be theirs completely.

Pakistan's claim is based on the fact that the majority of the area's population is Muslim, while New Delhi claims ownership because, on partition, the region's then-ruler chose to join India.

Great bloodshed followed the creation of the largely Muslim Pakistan and its much larger neighbour, the Hindu, secular, India.

Around half a million people died in communal violence after the countries were created and the same amount were left homeless.

The second Indo-Pak war began in April 1965 with a border dispute which escalated into fighting before Pakistan claimed victory.

It flared up again when Pakistan launched a covert offensive across the ceasefire line into Indian-administered Kashmir in August.