Line of Control

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Coordinates: 34°56′N, 76°46′E

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.

1 Names
2 Wars
3 See also
4 External links

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).

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 futher to the east and is known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Wars

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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 terrorists 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 Jihadi terrorists. With great determination, India won the war inflicting heavy losses to the Jihadi terrorist 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 it's government which succumbed to mounting international pressure. The fight continued at low key for over a month but eventually India gained it's territory back. Due to the covert nature of its involvement, Pakistan army was forced to disown the bodies of it's 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