Line of Control (LoC)

Why in news?

• The Army on 20^th September said ceasefire violations by Pakistan on the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir have dropped to zero this year.

About Line of Control (LoC):

• 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.
• It separates Pak occupied Kashmir from Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
• The line does not constitute a legally recognized international boundary, but serves as the de facto border.
• The Line of Control (LoC) emerged from the 1948 ceasefire line negotiated by the United Nations (UN) after the Kashmir War of 1948.
• Originally known as the ‘cease-fire line’, it was redesignated as the Line of Control following the Shimla Agreement, which was signed in 1972.
• India has constructed a 550 km barrier along the 740 km Line of Control.
• The part of the former princely state that is under Indian control is divided into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, while the Pakistani-controlled part 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.

PRACTICE QUESTION

‘Line of Control’, sometimes seen in news, serves as the de facto border between India and which of the following country?

(a) Afghanistan

(b) China

(c) Pakistan

(d) Nepal

Answer