Copyright infringement not intended

Picture Courtesy:   THE HINDU

Context:

Pakistani troops violated the LoC ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir.

Background

The Line of Control has its origins in the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947. When British India was divided into the independent nations of India and Pakistan, the princely states, including Jammu and Kashmir, were given the option to join either country. 

Maharaja Hari Singh, the ruler of Kashmir, initially hesitated but eventually signed the Instrument of Accession to India following a Pakistani tribal invasion in October 1947.

First Kashmir War (1947-48)

The first Indo-Pakistani War broke out shortly after partition when Pakistan-backed tribal forces invaded Kashmir. India's intervention following the accession led to a full-scale war. The United Nations mediated a ceasefire that took effect on January 1, 1949, establishing what was originally called the Ceasefire Line (CFL).

From Ceasefire Line to Line of Control

The Ceasefire Line remained largely unchanged until the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, which largely focused on East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). Following Pakistan's defeat, the Simla Agreement was signed in July 1972, which officially renamed the Ceasefire Line as the "Line of Control" and both countries agreed to resolve their differences bilaterally, without third-party intervention.

The Line of Control stretches approximately 740 kilometers from the northern regions of Ladakh to the southern Poonch district.

Military and Strategic Significance

The Line of Control is one of the most heavily militarized borders in the world. Both India and Pakistan maintain substantial military presence along the boundary:

• Extensive network of bunkers, observation posts, and forward bases
• Anti-infiltration infrastructure including fencing, surveillance systems, and landmines
• Artillery positions situated at strategic heights
• Regular patrolling by armed forces on both sides

Since 2004, India has constructed a sophisticated fence along much of its side of the LoC. This barrier system includes:

• Double-row concertina wire fencing
• Electrified sections with alarm systems
• Thermal imaging and night vision devices
• Landmines in certain areas
• Motion sensors and surveillance equipment

Legal Status

The Line of Control is not an internationally recognized boundary but a de facto military line of demarcation.

• Not recognized as an international border by either India or Pakistan.
• Established through bilateral agreements rather than international treaties.
• Both countries maintain claims to the entire Kashmir region.
• The UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) continues to monitor the situation.

Must Read Articles: 

Line of Actual Control, Line of Control

Source: 

THE HINDU