With substantial military support from the United States, Ayub Khan feels ready by 1965 to test India's frontier outposts, initially in Sindh.

The first skirmish war is fought along undemarcated territory toward the western end of the Great Rann ("Salt Marsh") of Kachchh in the southeast in April 1965, and Pakistan's Patton tanks roll to what seems like an easy victory over India's Centurions.

The Commonwealth prime ministers and the UN quickly prevail upon both sides to agree to a cease-fire and withdrawal of forces to the prewar borders.

On the report of the United Nations secretary-general to the Security Council, the Rann of Kachchh dispute is referred to an international tribunal.