Kashmiri separatists attack villages in India-controlled Kashmir
As Kashmiri separatists and insurgent movements increased in strength, India accused Pakistan of aiding militia groups, which began attacking villages in Indian-controlled areas in Kashmir. Pakistan denied it provided military or financial aid to the separatists, maintaining it only gave moral support to their cause.

May 11, 1998 - India detonates first nuclear bomb

May 28, 1998 - Pakistan detonates first nuclear bomb
First India and then Pakistan successfully detonated nuclear weapons. The international community condemned the tests and levied economic sanctions on the feuding neighbors.

May 1999 - Kargil War, Pakistani incursion into India-controlled Kashmir
Pakistani-led troops, including a unit headed by then-Gen. Pervez Musharraf, crossed the border into Indian-controlled Kashmir. Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee launched air strikes to push out the Pakistani army. Pakistan asserted it was fighting for Kashmir's liberation while India maintained its control of the southern portion of the province was legitimate.

The conflict subsided when Pakistani President Nawaz Sharif ordered the army to withdraw to its side of the line of control. The leaders officially ended fighting with the Lahore Declaration, which stressed that both countries must respect the line of control.

Oct. 12, 1999 - Musharraf takes power in military coup
Gen. Pervez Musharraf staged a military coup, overthrowing the elected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The Pakistani Supreme Court later validated Musharraf's leadership.

December 1999 - Terrorists hijack Indian flight
Terrorists hijacked an Indian flight bound for Katmandu, Nepal, and demanded the release of members of Kashmiri separatist groups, such as the Jaish-e-Mohammad leader, Maulana Masood Azhar.

The 155 people trapped aboard the plane were released after eight days, while the hijackers escaped. Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee blamed Pakistan for supporting the hijacking; Pakistan rejected those claims as untrue and "very irresponsible."