Misplaced Pages

Revision as of 09:12, 29 August 2021

34°56′N 76°46′E / 34.933°N 76.767°E / 34.933; 76.767

Line of Control
Political map of the Kashmir region showing the Line of Control (LoC)
Characteristics
Entities	Pakistan India
Length	742 km (461 mi)
History
Established	2 July 1972 Resulting from the ceasefire of 17 December 1971 and after ratification of the Shimla Treaty
Treaties	Simla Agreement

The Line of Control (LoC) is a military control line between the Indian and Pakistani controlled parts of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir—a line which does not constitute a legally recognized international boundary, but serves as the de facto border. It was established as part of the Simla Agreement at the end of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, when the two nations agreed to rename the ceasefire line as "Line of Control" and pledged to respect it without prejudice to their respective positions. The line is roughly the same as the original cease-fire line of 1949 except for minor details.

The part of the former princely state that is under Indian control is divided into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, while the Pakistani-controlled part is divided into Azad Kashmir and Gilgit–Baltistan. The northernmost point of the Line of Control is known as NJ9842, beyond which lies the Siachen Glacier, which became a bone of contention in 1984. To the south of the Line of Control lies the border between Pakistani Punjab and the Jammu province, which has an ambiguous status: India regarding it as international boundary and Pakistan calling it a "working border".

Another ceasefire line separates the Indian-controlled state of Jammu and Kashmir from the Chinese-controlled area known as Aksai Chin. Lying further to the east, it is known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Background

After the partition of India, the present day India and Pakistan contested the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir – India by virtue of the ruler's accession to the country and Pakistan by virtue of the state's Muslim majority population. The First Kashmir War lasted more than a year, when a ceasefire was accepted through the UN mediation. A ceasefire line was agreed by the two sides.

After another Kashmir War in 1965, and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 (which saw Bangladesh become independent), only minor modifications had been effected in the original ceasefire line. In the ensuing Simla Agreement in 1972, the two countries agreed to convert the ceasefire line into a "Line of Control" and observe it as a de facto border that should not be violated by armed action. The agreement declared that "neither side shall seek to alter it unilaterally, irrespective of mutual differences and legal interpretations".

Former US President Bill Clinton has referred to the Indian subcontinent and the Kashmir Line of Control, in particular, as one of the most dangerous places in the world.

Legacy

The Line of Control divided Kashmir into two parts and closed the Jhelum valley route, the only entrance and exit of the Kashmir Valley from Pakistani Punjab. This territorial division, which to this day still exists, severed many villages and separated family members from each other.

Indian LoC fencing

India constructed a 550 km (340 mi) barrier along the 742 km (461 mi) Line of Control by 2004. The fence generally remains about 150 yards on the Indian-controlled side. Its stated purpose is to exclude arms smuggling and infiltration by Pakistani-based separatist militants. The barrier, referred to as Anti-Infiltration Obstacle System (AIOS), consists of double-row of fencing and concertina wire 8–12 ft (2.4–3.7 m) in height, and is electrified and connected to a network of motion sensors, thermal imaging devices, lighting systems and alarms. They act as "fast alert signals" to the Indian troops who can be alerted and ambush the infiltrators trying to sneak in. The small stretch of land between the rows of fencing is mined with thousands of landmines.

The construction of the barrier began in the 1990s, but slowed in the early 2000s as hostilities between India and Pakistan increased. After a November 2003 ceasefire agreement, building resumed and was completed in late 2004. LoC fencing was completed in Kashmir Valley and Jammu region on 30 September 2004. According to Indian military sources, the fence has reduced the numbers of militants who routinely cross into the Indian side of the disputed region by 80%. In 2017, proposal for an upgraded smart fence on the Indian side were accepted.

Crossing points

Five crossing points were officially designated by Pakistan and India following the 2005 Kashmir earthquake— "Nauseri-Tithwal; Chakoti-Uri; Hajipur-Uri; Rawalakot-Poonch and Tattapani-Mendhar".

According to Azad Jammu and Kashmir Cross LoC Travel and Trade Authority Act, 2016 the following crossing points are listed:

• Rawalakot–Poonch
• Chakothi–Uri
• Chaliana–Tithwal
• Tatta Pani–Mendher
• Haji Peer–Silli Kot

Trade points include: "Chakothi – Salamabad" and "Rawalakot (Titrinote) – Poonch (Chakkan-da-Bagh)". The ordinance had been passed in 2011. Indian and Pakistani military use these crossing points for flag meetings and to exchange sweets during occasions and festivals.

Chilliana – Teetwal

The Teetwal crossing is across the Neelum River between Muzaffarabad and Kupwara. It is usually open only during the summer months, and in contrast to the other two crossings is open only for the movement of people, not for trade. The Tithwal bridge was first built in 1931 and has been rebuilt twice.

Chakothi – Salamabad

Salamabad crossing point, or the Kamran Post, is located on the road between Chakothi and Uri in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir along the LoC. It is a major route for cross LoC trade and travel. Banking facilities and a trade facilitation centres are being planned on the Indian side. The name in English translates to "bridge of peace" is located in Uri. The bridge was rebuilt by the Indian Army after the 2005 Kashmir earthquake when a mountain on the Pakistani side had caved in. This route was opened for trade in 2008 after a period of 61 years. The Srinagar–Muzaffarabad Bus passes through this bridge on the LoC.

Tetrinote – Chakan Da Bagh

A road connects Kotli and Tatrinote in Pakistan side of the LoC to Indian Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir through Chakan Da Bagh crossing point. It is a major route for cross LoC trade and travel. Banking facilities and a trade facilitation centres are being planned on the Indian side for the benefit of traders.

Most of the flag meetings between Indian and Pakistani security forces are held here. These meetings are held at the border or on the Line of Control by commanders of the armies of both sides.

Tattapani – Mendhar

The fourth border crossing between Tattapani and Mendhar was opened on 14 November 2005.

See also

• Actual Ground Position Line
• Indo-Bangladeshi barrier
• Durand Line
• Siachen conflict
• Wagah, an international border crossing between India and Pakistan
• Wakhan
• Transport between India and Pakistan

References

Citations

1. Wirsing 1998, p. 13: 'With particular reference to Kashmir, they agreed that: ... in J&K, the Line of Control resulting from the ceasefire of December 17, 1971, shall be respected by both sides without prejudice to the recognised position of either side.'
2. Wirsing 1998, p. 10.
3. Wirsing 1998, p. 13.
4. "Simla Agreement". Bilateral/Multilateral Documents. Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
5. "Relevance of Simla Agreement". Editorial Series. Khan Study Group. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
6. Marcus, Jonathan (23 March 2000). "Analysis: The world's most dangerous place?". BBC News. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
7. Krishnaswami, Sridhar (11 March 2000). "'Most dangerous place'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
8. Ranjan Kumar Singh, Sarhad: Zero Mile, (Hindi), Parijat Prakashan, ISBN 81-903561-0-0
9. Women in Security, Conflict Management, a Peace (Program) (2008). Closer to ourselves: stories from the journey towards peace in South Asia. WISCOMP, Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. p. 75. Retrieved 19 June 2013.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
10. Williams, Matthias (20 October 2008). Scrutton, Alistair (ed.). "FACTBOX-Line of control between India and Pakistan". Reuters. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
11. ^ "LoC fencing completed: Mukherjee". The Times of India. 16 December 2004. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012.
12. Kumar, Vinay (1 February 2004). "LoC fencing in Jammu nearing completion". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 February 2004. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
13. ^ Peri, Dinakar (30 April 2017). "Army set to install smart fence along LoC". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
14. Umar, Baba (30 April 2011). "Mines of war maim innocents". Tehelka. Archived from the original on 17 October 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
15. Gilani, Iftikhar (4 March 2005). "Harsh weather likely to damage LoC fencing". Daily Times. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2007.
16. "Pakistan, India agree to open five LoC points". DAWN. 30 October 2005. Retrieved 26 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
17. Hussain, Aijaz (21 November 2005). "Kashmir earthquake: Opening of relief points along LoC becomes high point of Indo-Pak ties". India Today. Retrieved 26 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
18. "India, Pakistan to open military border". Al Jazeera. 30 October 2005. Retrieved 26 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
19. Azad Jammu and Kashmir Cross LoC Travel and Trade Authority Act, 2016. Act XVI of 2016. Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights Department, AJK Government. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
20. ^ "Crossing Points". ajktata.gok.pk (AJK Travel and Trade Authority). Archived from the original on 15 June 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
21. "The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Cross LoC Travel and Trade Authority Ordinance, 2011 (AJK Ordinance No. XXXII of 2011)". Azad Government of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights Department. Retrieved 26 August 2021 – via nasirlawsite.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link) CS1 maint: url-status (link)
22. Singh, Priyanka (1 January 2013). "Prospects of Travel and Trade across the India–Pakistan Line of Control (LoC)". International Studies. 50 (1–2): 71–91. doi:10.1177/0020881715605237. ISSN 0020-8817.
23. "Indian,Pakistani troops exchange sweets along LoC in Kashmir on Pak's I-Day". Business Standard India. PTI. 14 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
24. "India, Pakistan forces exchange Eid sweets for first time since Pulwama". The Times of India. 22 June 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
25. Bhalla, Abhishek (26 March 2021). "India, Pakistan hold brigade commanders-level meet to discuss peace at LoC". India Today. Retrieved 29 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
26. Iqbal, Mir (3 November 2016). "Teetwal LoC crossing point reopens after 3 months". Greater Kashmir. Archived from the original on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
27. Philip, Snehesh Alex (16 October 2020). "A shut LoC bridge, and a Kashmir village living under the shadow of Pakistani snipers". ThePrint. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
28. "Pakistan: Second border crossing-point opens to allow relief from India". ReliefWeb. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 10 November 2005. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |authors= ignored (help)
29. ^ "Jammu and Kashmir: Goods over Rs 3,432 crore traded via two LoC points in 3 years". Economic Times. PTI. 9 January 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
30. ^ "Cross-LoC trade at Rs 2,800 crore in last three years". Economic Times. PTI. 13 June 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
31. "J&K CM inaugurates rebuilt Aman Setu". Hindustan Times. IANS. 21 February 2008. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
32. Ramasubbu, Krishnamurthy (21 October 2008). "Trucks start rolling, duty-free commerce across LoC opens". Livemint. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
33. "Re-erected Kaman Aman Setu will be inaugurated on Monday". Outlook. PTI. 19 February 2006. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
34. "Chakan-Da-Bagh in Poonch". Zee News. 14 August 2014. Archived from the original on 17 January 2013.
35. "India, Pakistan hold flag meeting". The Hindu. 23 August 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
36. "Fourth Kashmir crossing opens". DAWN. 15 November 2005. Retrieved 26 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

Bibliography

• Wirsing, Robert G. (1998), "War or Peace on the Line of Control?", in Clive Schofield (ed.), Boundary and Territory Briefing, Volume 2, Number 5, ISBN 1-897643-31-4 (Page numbers cited per the e-document)

Further reading

• Akhtar, Shaheen (2017). "Living on the frontlines: Perspective from Poonch and Kotli region of AJK" (PDF). Journal of Political Studies. 24 (2).
• — Akhtar, Shaheen (2017). "Living on the Frontlines: Perspective from the Neelum Valley" (PDF). Margalla Papers. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 July 2020.
• Bali, Pawan; Akhtar, Shaheen (31 July 2017), Kashmir Line of Control and Grassroots Peacebuilding (PDF), United States Institute of Peace
• Bharat, Meenakshi; Kumar, Nirmal, eds. (2012). Filming the Line of Control: The Indo–Pak Relationship through the Cinematic Lens. Routledge. ISBN 9781136516061.
• Jacob, Happymon (2018). The Line of Control: Travelling with the Indian and Pakistani Armies. Penguin Random House India. ISBN 9789353053529.
• — Jacob, Happymon (2018). Line on Fire: Ceasefire Violations and India–Pakistan Escalation Dynamics. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199095476.
• — Jacob, Happymon (2017), Ceasefire violations in Jammu and Kashmir (PDF), United States Institute of Peace, ISBN 978-1-60127-672-8
• Ranjan Kumar Singh (2007), Sarhad: Zero Mile (in Hindi), Parijat Prakashan, ISBN 81-903561-0-0

v t e India–Pakistan relations
Diplomatic posts	High Commissioners of India to Pakistan High Commission of Pakistan, New Delhi
Diplomacy	Karachi Agreement Jinnah–Mountbatten talks Liaquat–Nehru Pact Evacuee Trust Property Board Indus Waters Treaty Permanent Indus Commission Tashkent Declaration Simla Agreement Delhi Agreement Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines 1974 Non-Nuclear Aggression Agreement Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India Pipeline Lahore Declaration Iran–Pakistan gas pipeline Agra Summit Indo-Pak Joint Judicial Committee India–Pakistan maritime trespassing Sir Creek Mahavir/Sadqi International Parade Ground
Conflicts	Partition of India Kashmir conflict Indian Armed Forces in Jammu and Kashmir Peacebuilding in Jammu and Kashmir Annexation of Junagadh Indo-Pakistani war of 1947–1948 Insurgency in Balochistan Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 Operation Gibraltar Custodian for Enemy Property for India Bangladesh Liberation War Indo-Pakistani war of 1971 Pakistani Instrument of Surrender Islamabad–New Delhi hotline POWs Line of Control NJ9842 Siachen conflict Operation Tupac Kargil War Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir Indian Army operations in Jammu and Kashmir 2008 Kashmir unrest 2010 Kashmir unrest 2016–2017 Kashmir unrest 2019–2021 lockdown Inter-Services Intelligence activities in India
Incidents	1947 Amritsar train massacre Indo-Pakistani water dispute of 1948 Sino-Pakistan Agreement Trans-Karakoram Tract 1959 Canberra shootdown 1971 Indian Airlines hijacking Kashmir Singh Samba spy scandal Indian Airlines Flight 423 Ravindra Kaushik Pan Am Flight 73 Operation Brasstacks Sarabjit Singh Sanaullah Haq 1992 India–Pakistan floods 1999 Pakistani Breguet 1150 Atlantic shootdown Beheading of Bhausaheb Maruti Talekar 2001 Indian Parliament attack 2001–2002 standoff 2007 Samjhauta Express bombings 2008 Mumbai attacks 2008 military standoff 2011 border skirmishes Khaleel Chishty 2013 border skirmishes 2014–2015 border skirmishes 2014 India–Pakistan floods 2014 Wagah border suicide attack Kulbhushan Jadhav 2016 Pathankot attack 2016 Uri attack 2016 Indian Line of Control strike 2016–2018 border skirmishes 2019 India–Pakistan border skirmishes 2019 Balakot airstrike 2019 Jammu and Kashmir airstrikes Media coverage 2020–2021 skirmishes 2021 Lahore bombing 2022 missile incident 2023 border skirmishes
Related	Border Wagah-Attari Attari–Wagah border ceremony Ganda Singh Wala-Hussainiwala Kartarpur Corridor Indians in Pakistan Pakistanis in India Anti-Indian sentiment Anti-Pakistan sentiment Illegal immigration to India East Bengali refugees Sports rivalries Cricket Field hockey Transport between India and Pakistan Delhi–Lahore Bus Jammu–Sialkot line Poonch-Rawalakot Bus Samjhauta Express Srinagar–Muzaffarabad Bus Thar Express Sind Mail Jinnah House Aaghaz-e-Dosti Aman ki Asha Indian reunification Indo-Pakistani Confederation Akhand Bharat Hindi–Urdu controversy Pakistani textbooks controversy Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project Nuclear arms race India and weapons of mass destruction Pakistan and weapons of mass destruction Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Pakistan and state-sponsored terrorism Bleed India with a Thousand Cuts New Concept of War Fighting Cold Start Foodistan Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Inspiration: Aman Ki Aasha tour
Category:India–Pakistan relations

v t e Indian Armed Forces
Indian Army  Indian Navy  Indian Air Force
Leadership	President Prime Minister Minister of Defence Defence Secretary National Security Advisor Chief of Defence Staff (Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee) Chief of the Army Staff Chief of the Naval Staff Chief of the Air Staff Vice Chief of Defence Staff Director General Armed Forces Medical Services Serving generals Serving admirals Serving marshals
Organisation	Ministry and committees/councils Ministry of Defence Department of Military Affairs Department of Defence Research and Development Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare National Security Council Cabinet Committee on Security Standing Committee on Defence Defence Planning Committee Nuclear Command Authority Integrated Defence Staff Defence Intelligence Agency Commands Joint Integrated Theatre Commands Andaman and Nicobar Command Commander-in-Chief Strategic Forces Command Commander-in-Chief Northern Theatre Command (India) Western Theatre Command (India) Maritime Theatre Command Defence Cyber Agency Defence Space Agency Armed Forces Special Operations Division Army Central Command Eastern Command Northern Command Southern Command South Western Command Western Command Army Training Command Navy Western Naval Command Eastern Naval Command Southern Naval Command Air Force Central Air Command Eastern Air Command Southern Air Command South Western Air Command Western Air Command Training Command Maintenance Command Other components Indian Coast Guard National Cadet Corps Paramilitary forces Special forces Territorial Army Border Roads Organisation
Personnel	Military Academies Ranks and insignia Army Navy Air Force Coast Guard Border Roads Organisation Paramilitary forces Awards and Decorations
Operations	Wars Indo-Pakistani wars 1947–1948 1965 Battle of Asal Uttar Battle of Chawinda 1971 Naval War Air War Battle of Chamb Operation Trident Operation Cactus-Lilly Battle of Longewala Kargil War Sino-Indian War External conflicts Kashmir conflict Korean War Siachen conflict Indo-Pakistani border skirmishes Operation Parakram 2011 2013 2014–2015 2016–2018 2019 Balakot airstrike Congo Crisis Sino-Indian border skirmish 1987 Nathu La and Cho La clashes Doklam standoff 2020 Indian intervention in the Sri Lankan Civil War Operation Cactus Evacuation of Indian civilians from Kuwait Piracy off the coast of Somalia Operation Raahat Operation Devi Shakti Indo-Myanmar border strike Annexations Operation Polo (Hyderabad) Operation Vijay (Portuguese India - Goa, Damaon, Silvassa & Diu) Junagadh Dadra and Nagar Haveli Insurgencies Northeast India Punjab Operation Blue Star Operation Woodrose Kashmir Counter-insurgency operations LOC surgical strike
Equipment	Defence Research and Development Organisation Ordnance Factory Board Ballistic missiles Weapons of mass destruction Army List of equipment of the Indian Army Navy Active Ships Historical Ships Weapon Systems Future Air Force Active Aircraft Historical Aircraft Aircraft Squadrons Future
Documents	Indian Maritime Security Strategy
Other topics	President's fleet review History President's Colour Award Women in the Indian Armed Forces Armed Forces Flag Day Armed Forces Tribunal Indian Armed Forces rank flags Indian military bands National War Memorial Amar Jawan Jyoti
Category Army Navy Air Force

• History of Azad Kashmir
• History of Gilgit-Baltistan
• Diplomacy regarding the Kashmir conflict
• History of the Republic of India
• India–Pakistan border
• Separation barriers