Line of Control
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The Line of Control (LOC) (also known as the Line of Actual Control) is a line which demarcates the boundary between the territories controlled by two militaries or political entities.
[edit] Names
Specifically, the term "LOC" refers to the military control line between India and Pakistan, in the province of Kashmir. Originally known as the "Ceasefire Line", it was redesignated the "Line of Control" after the Simla Agreement, which was formalized in December 1971. The Indians refer to their portion of the territory as Jammu and Kashmir, while the Pakistanis refer to the Indian portion as Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK). The Pakistanis refer to their portion of the territory as Azad (Free) Jammu and Kashmir; in turn, the Indians refer to Pakistani Occupied Kashmir (POK).
The cease-fire line between India and People's Republic of China in the Aksai Chin is known as the "Line of Actual Control" (LAC). There have been proposals in the Indian press to regularize the LOC as the international boundary between India and Pakistan; this, however, is against official Indian government policy. Pakistan also desires sovereignty over the entire area.
[edit] 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. There have been frequent artillery duels between India and Pakistan along the LOC. Portions of the LOC have been fenced in by India to prevent intrusions by militants and what India alleges as Pakistani sponsored terrorists.
[edit] Sources
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