Line of Control
Line of Control
Pakistan 
India
2 July 1972
Resulting from the ceasefire of 17 December 1971 and after ratification of the Shimla Treaty
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. Both nations agreed to rename the ceasefire line as the "Line of Control" and pledged to respect it without prejudice to their respective positions.[4] Apart from minor details, the line is roughly the same as the original 1949 cease-fire line.
The part of the former princely state under Indian control is divided into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The Pakistani-controlled section 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, (Sangam, Chenab River, Akhnoor), lies the border between Pakistani Punjab and the Jammu province, which has an ambiguous status: India regards it as an "international boundary", and Pakistan calls it a "working border".[5]
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).[6]
Characteristics
Terrain
The LoC from Kargil to Gurez comprises mountain passes and valleys with small streams and rivers.[13] The area up to around 14,000 feet (4,300 m) is wooded while the peaks rise higher.[13] Winter is snowy while summers are mild. From Gurez to Akhnoor, the area is mountainous and hilly respectively and is generally forested. There are tracks and minor roads connecting settlements.[13] The mix of flora and elevation affects visibility and line of sight significantly.[14]
Ceasefire violations
In 2018, two corps and a number of battalions of the Border Security Force manned the Indian side of the LoC.[15] The Rawalpindi Corps manned the Pakistani side.[15] Ceasefire violations (CFV's) are initiated and committed by both sides and show a symmetry.[16][17] The response to a CFV at one location can lead to shooting at an entirely different area.[18] Weapons used on the LoC include small arms, rocket-propelled grenades, recoilless rifles, mortars, automatic grenade launchers, rocket launchers and a number of other direct and indirect weaponry.[19] Military personnel on both sides risk being shot by snipers in moving vehicles, through bunker peepholes and during meals.[20]
The civilian population at the LoC, at some points ahead of the forward most post, has complicated the situation.[21] Shelling and firing by both sides along the LoC has resulted in civilian deaths.[22][23] Bunkers have been constructed for these civilian populations for protection during periods of CFV's.[24] India and Pakistan usually report only casualties on their own sides of the LoC,[25] with the media blaming the other side for the firing and each side claiming an adequate retaliation.[26]
According to Happymon Jacob, the reasons for CFVs along the LoC include[27] operational reasons (defence construction like observation facilities, the rule of the gun, lack of bilateral mechanisms for border management, personality traits and the emotional state of soldiers and commanders),[28] politico-strategic reasons,[29] proportional response (land grab, sniping triggered, "I am better than you", revenge firing),[30] accidental CFVs (civilian related, lack of clarity where the line is)[31] and other reasons (like testing the new boys, honour, prestige and humiliation, fun, gamesmanship).[32] Jacob ranks operational reasons as the main cause for CFVs, followed by retributive and politico-strategic reasons .[27]
Landmines and IEDs
Mines have been laid across the India–Pakistan border and the LoC in 1947, 1965, 1971 and 2001.[33] The small stretch of land between the rows of fencing is mined with thousands of landmines.[34] During the 2001–2002 India–Pakistan standoff thousands of acres of land along the LoC were mined.[35] Both civilians and military personnel on both sides have died in mine and improvised explosive device (IED)-related blasts, and many more have been injured.[35] Between January 2000 to April 2002, 138 military personnel were killed on the Indian side.[35]
Posts and bunkers
Reinforced sandbagged and concrete posts and bunkers are among the first line of defence along the LoC.[36][37] Armed soldiers man these positions with enough supplies for at least a week.[38] The posts and bunkers allow soldiers to sleep, cook, and keep a watch on enemy positions round the clock.[38] Some posts are located in remote locations. Animals are sometimes used to help transport loads, and at some posts animals are reared.[38] The living quarters and the forward facing bunker are located at some distance apart.[39] The locations of some posts do not follow any pre-ordained plan, rather they are in locations used during the First Kashmir War and the following cease-fire line, with minor adjustments made in 1972.[40]
Impact on civilians
The Line of Control divided the Kashmir into two and closed the Jhelum valley route, the only way in and out of the Kashmir Valley from Pakistani Punjab. This ongoing territorial division severed many villages and separated family members.[80][81] Some families could see each other along the LoC in locations such as the Neelum River, but were unable to meet.[82] In certain locations, women on the Pakistan side on the LoC have been instrumental in influencing infiltration and ceasefire violations; they have approached nearby Pakistani Army camps directly and insisted infiltration stop, which reduces India's cross LoC firing.[83]
In popular culture
Documentaries covering the LoC and related events include A journey through River Vitasta,[84] Raja Shabir Khan's Line of Control[85] and HistoryTV18's Kargil: Valour & Victory.[86] A number of Bollywood films on the 1999 Kargil conflict have involved depictions and scenes of the line of control including LOC: Kargil (2003),[87] Lakshya (2004)[88] and Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl (2020).[89] Other Bollywood films include Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019)[90] and Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015),[91] and streaming television shows such as Avrodh (2020).[92]