Line of Control

The areas shown in green are the two Pakistani-controlled areas--the Federally Administered Northern Areas (FANA) in the north and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in the south. The area shown in orange is the Indian-controlled state of Jammu and Kashmir, and the diagonally-hatched area to the east is the Chinese-controlled area known as Aksai Chin.

Names

Specifically, the term "Line of Control" (LOC) refers to the military control line between the Indian- and Pakistani-controlled parts of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir - a line which, still to this day, does not constitute a legally recognized international boundary. Originally known as the "Cease-fire Line", it was redesignated as the "Line of Control" following the Simla Agreement, which was signed in December 1971. The part of the former princely state that is under Indian control is known as the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The two parts of the former princely state that are under Pakistani control are known as the Federally Administered Northern Areas (FANA) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

However, since July 2008, Troops from both sides of the Line of Control have started routinely violating the ceasefire by exchanging fire with each other.

Another cease-fire line, one that separates the Indian-controlled state of Jammu and Kashmir from the Chinese-controlled area known as Aksai Chin, lies further to the east and is known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Wars

The LOC has seen various Indo-Pakistani Wars; the latest one being in 1999 when both India and Pakistan fought in the Kargil War. Pakistan covertly pushed in Kashmiri rebels and masqueraded Pakistan army soldiers. This was done in winter when the forward posts on both sides are abandoned due to bad weather. India came to know about this mischief when the local villagers informed the Indian Army. This was an intelligence lapse on Indian side. Initially Indian Army was at receiving end with heavy firing from hill top bunkers occupied by Pakistani Army and Kashmiri rebels. With great determination, India won the war inflicting heavy losses to the Kashmiri rebel organizations backed by the ISI and Pakistan army. The war ended when the Pakistan army withdrew from LOC fearing serious causality and escalation. The Pakistan Army was forced by its government which succumbed to mounting international pressure. The fight continued at low key for over a month but eventually India gained the territory it had occupied in 1947 back. Due to the covert nature of its involvement, Pakistan army was forced to disown the bodies of its own soldiers killed in action. The failure in Kargil war resulted in a bloodless coup in Pakistan, with Pakistan Army under General Musharraf capturing power, toppling the fragile democracy under Mia Nawaz Sharif

See also

• Wagah international border crossing between India and Pakistan
• Indian Kashmir barrier
• Timeline of the Kashmir conflict
• Kashmiriyat - a socio-cultural ethos of religious harmony and Kashmiri consciousness.
• Instrument of Accession (Jammu and Kashmir) to the Country / Dominion of India
• Karan Singh, son of Maharaja Hari Singh
• Maharaja Hari Singh (1895–1961), was the last ruling Maharaja / Emperor / King of all Lands and Territories of the princely state / Kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir in India. He was the Father of Dr. Karan Singh.
• LOC Kargil, a 2003 Bollywood war film based on "Kargil War" or the "Indo-Pakistani War of 1999", directed by J.P.Dutta
• Trans-Karakoram Tract an area of Kashmir administered by China
• Aksai Chin an area of Kashmir administered by China
• Shaikh Abdullah, Politician
• Pamir Mountains
• Wakhan
• Gilgit Agency
• List of topics on the land and the people of “Jammu and Kashmir”