Abstract: The confrontation between India and Pakistan dates from the first day of their independence from the British Empire, and the first war they fought was over the possession of Jammu and Kashmir. The war was a limited affair – limited in its goals, in a limited theatre, with limited means. It was the first modern war in which one of the belligerents (Pakistan) relied on an artificially created and nurtured insurgency in the target area to realize its political goals. The experiment – partly due to lack of doctrinal foundations and lack of experience – had only limited success, but its results encouraged Pakistan to rely on insurgents and irregular militias in the enemy's rear in it later wars. Keywords: India, Pakistan, Partition of India, Jammu and Kashmir, asymmetric warfare, Pathan tribal militia, Azad Kashmir This short and limited war is a fascinating story for several reasons. Its most significant element is the employment of non-state actors as combatants in service of a state's interests. The employment of non-state combatants was only partly successful, but the events have shown how a modern state can deploy the principles, tactics, techniques and procedures of asymmetric warfare against another, much stronger state. The events of the war also call attention to the fact that contrary to the contemporary western attitude – which lingers on to this day – there is absolutely no difference between western and Asian soldiers, when the latter are properly trained and led. Asian officers are able to plan and execute large-scale operations, control, move and support divisions and corps without the benefit of western advisors, and their command performance can meet the highest standards. Asian soldiers under Asian officers and NCOs can fight with as much skill as, and their self-sacrificing heroism and professional behaviour can be a match to, or even surpass, any European or American regular force. THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND In spite of the economic and strategic advantages the colonies