34°56′N 76°46′E / 34.933°N 76.767°E
| Line of Control | |
|---|---|
 Political map of the Kashmir region showing the Line of Control (LoC) | |
| Characteristics | |
| Entities |  Pakistan  India |
| Length | 740 km (460 mi)[1] to 776 km (482 mi)[2][a] |
| 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. 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]
- ^ "Clarifications on LoC". Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. 2 July 1972. Archived from the original on 7 September 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
...thus clearly delineating the entire stretch of Line of Control running through 740 Km starting from Sangam and ending at Pt NJ-9842.
- ^ Arora & Kumar 2016, p. 6.
- ^ Durrani 2001, p. 26.
- ^ 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.'
- ^ Wirsing 1998, p. 10.
- ^ Wirsing 1998, p. 20.
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