The full form of LOC is Line of Control. The LOC is the military command line between the parts of the former princely state of Jammu & Kashmir administered by India & Pakistan. For both India and Pakistan, the Line of Control is not a legally recognised international boundary, but a de facto border. The line is often protected with strongly pointed wire coils, a kind of fence placed by the Indian army in place.
Introduction of LOC
The Line of Control (LoC) is an army control line among the Indian- and Pakistani-managed elements of the former princely kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir. It changed into mounted as part of the Simla Agreement at the give up of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Both international locations agreed to rename the ceasefire line as the “Line of Control” and pledged to admire it without prejudice to their respective positions.
The LoC is approximately 740 kilometres (460 mi) long and runs through a number of the hardest terrain in the world, along with the Himalayas and the Siachen Glacier. It isn’t always a legally recognized global boundary, however, serves because of the de facto border between India and Pakistan in Kashmir.
The LoC is one of the maximum closely militarized borders inside the globe, with both India and Pakistan keeping large armies alongside it. There had been numerous ceasefire violations and pass-border shelling incidents over the years, resulting in casualties on both facets.
Origins and History
The Line of Control (LoC) has certainly been a widespread historical and geopolitical feature within the vicinity, stemming from the complex instances surrounding the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947 and further solidified with the aid of the Simla Agreement in 1971. The LoC’s rugged terrain, army presence, and its effect on the lives of civilians inside the place have made it a focus of regional tensions and diplomatic efforts to clear up the Kashmir struggle.
The LoC is one of the most heavily militarized borders in the world, with both India and Pakistan maintaining large armies along it. There have been numerous ceasefire violations and cross-border shelling incidents over the years, resulting in casualties on both sides.
The LoC has had a significant impact on the lives of civilians in Kashmir. It has divided families and communities and made it difficult for people to travel and trade freely. The LoC has also been a major obstacle to the resolution of the Kashmir conflict.
Despite several attempts at reconciliation and dialogue, the scenario along the LoC remains delicate and remains carefully monitored with the aid of the global network.
The 1947-48 War of LOC
The 1947-48 War, also called the First Kashmir War, happened right after India and Pakistan were created in 1947. It was mainly about the region of Jammu and Kashmir, which had a Hindu leader but a Muslim-majority population.
Here’s what happened:
- The leader of Jammu and Kashmir wanted to stay independent, but then he decided to join India in 1947. This made Pakistan unhappy.
- After this decision, tribal militias, supported by Pakistan’s army, went into Kashmir, leading to a conflict.
- India sent its troops to help, and there was fighting in different parts of the region.
- The issue got international attention, and both India and Pakistan talked about it at the United Nations.
- In 1948, the United Nations helped arrange a ceasefire, which created a line to stop the fighting. This line later became the Line of Control (LoC).
- In 1949, a formal agreement called the Karachi Agreement was signed, which set rules for the ceasefire.
- After the war, Jammu and Kashmir were divided. Part of it went to India, and Pakistan got control of some areas.
- The Line of Control (LoC) became the unofficial border between India and Pakistan in Kashmir.
1971 and the Shimla Agreement
In 1971, after the Indo-Pakistani War that led to the creation of Bangladesh, the Shimla Agreement was signed to address the conflicts between India and Pakistan. Key points include:
- War Context: The 1971 war centred on East Pakistan’s quest for independence, supported by India, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh.
- Shimla Agreement: Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto met in Shimla, India, in July 1972, aiming to normalize relations.
- LoC Recognition: Both nations agreed to respect the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, formalizing it as the de facto border.
- Implications: The agreement sought to reduce tensions and promote bilateral negotiations to resolve outstanding issues, including the Kashmir dispute.
While the Shimla Agreement aimed for peace, the Kashmir issue remains unresolved, and the LoC continues as a sensitive, heavily militarized border.
Conclusion
The Line of Control (LoC) is a massive geopolitical boundary in South Asia that separates Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistan-administered Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Its origins date back to the aftermath of the partition of India in 1947 and the following conflicts between India and Pakistan over the area of Jammu and Kashmir.
The LoC isn’t always a legally identified global border however serves as a de facto boundary inside the disputed Kashmir region. Over the years, it has witnessed several ceasefire violations, hostilities, and skirmishes, making it one of the most closely militarized and volatile borders in the world.
Frequently Asked Question
The Line of Control is a military demarcation line that separates the regions of Jammu and Kashmir under Indian administration from those under Pakistani administration. It serves as the de facto border in the disputed Kashmir region.
No, the Line of Control is not a legally recognized international border. It is an informal boundary established as a result of ceasefire agreements and conflicts between India and Pakistan.
The LoC’s origins can be traced back to the partition of India in 1947 and the subsequent conflicts between India and Pakistan over the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.
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