The Line of Control (LoC) is a contentious 740-kilometer-long border that divides the region of Kashmir between India and Pakistan. The Ceasefire Line was drawn in 1949 following the first war between the two nations. Over the years, it has become one of the most militarized zones in the world, suffering from a long history of violence and human tragedy. The Simla Agreement formalized the Line of Control (LoC) in 1972. Yet it continues to be a flashpoint for violence and political discord.
Tensions along the LoC have flared immensely since the beginning of 2013. Both countries have the potential to easily deploy large military forces to the region. The years between 2013 and the beginning of 2021 would see continued widespread conflict, with violations of the ceasefire outpacing previous record-highs. In the year 2001, India was only able to report 4,134 violations, which increased dramatically to 5,767 violations in 2002. The ceasefire can now be considered a success, as violations were few between 2004-2007, providing respite for the civilians affected. The situation deteriorated in 2008 and began to spiral upwards dramatically thereafter.
With a renewed ceasefire agreement reached in February 2021, the two countries have witnessed a sharp drop in cross-border firing incidents. This de-escalation lasted until March 2025, giving relief to residents in the area surrounding the disputed border. AUTOMATED TRANSLATION Ceasefire violations remain a grave danger. They range from localized small arms fire to indiscriminate heavy shelling and mortar attacks.
It is the local population that has paid the price for the still-ongoing war. From late September to early December 2016, ceasefire violations and cross-border firing displaced an estimated 27,000 people. These forced displacements mainly took place in territories near the border. For years the residents of villages dotted along Indian-controlled Kashmir’s LoC have constructed bunkers to shield themselves from the intermittent fire. This construction dramatically underscores their continued fragility.
“Families on the LoC are subjected to Indian and Pakistani whims and face the brunt of heated tensions,” – Anam Zakaria
This fragile reality becomes further undermined by the war of words traded between the two countries. India has regularly accused Pakistan of using such cover fire to support militant infiltration into Indian-administered Kashmir. On the other hand, Pakistan retaliates by accusing India of unprovoked firing on civilians along the LoC.
The humanitarian impact of this militarization on populations of color is devastating. Anam Zakaria notes that “each time firing resumes many are thrust into bunkers, livestock and livelihood is lost, infrastructure – homes, hospitals, schools – is damaged.” Yet the impending brutality includes the conditions in which residents have to live under violent state repression.
“You never know what will happen next. No one wants to sleep facing the Line of Control tonight,” – An employee of a hotel in Pakistan-administered Kashmir
Even diplomats and scholars associated with the state often refer to the LoC as a “border drawn in blood, forged through conflict.” Though there have been many proposed ceasefires, this truth remains. This sentiment underscores the deep-seated historical grievances and geopolitical jostling that has long characterized India-Pakistan relations.
Experts like Mr. Jacob emphasize the urgent need for scholarly scrutiny regarding the use of high-caliber weapons in this region. He states, “It is itself puzzling how the regular use of high-calibre weapons such as 105mm mortars, 130 and 155mm artillery guns and anti-tank guided missiles by two nuclear-capable countries… has escaped scholarly scrutiny and policy attention.”
“During periods of intense cross-border firing we’ve seen border populations in the many thousands be displaced for months on end,” – Surya Valliappan Krishna
The question of whether transforming the LoC into a formally recognized international border could serve as a viable solution to the Kashmir conflict remains contentious. Intellectuals like Sumantra Bose are adamant the concept is “entirely impractical.” He makes this argument on the basis of India’s past claims over the whole territory of Jammu and Kashmir. He argues that if Pakistan were to accept the LoC as the international border, it would lose the Kashmir dispute in favor of India. This result has always been vehemently opposed by Pakistani leaders since independence.
“For Pakistan, making the LoC part of the International Border would mean settling the Kashmir dispute – which is Pakistan’s equivalent of the Holy Grail – on India’s preferred terms,” – Sumantra Bose
Bose highlights that any settlement regarding Kashmir requires transforming the LoC from “an iron curtain of barbed wire, bunkers, trenches and hostile militaries to a linen curtain.” Secondly, he says, realpolitik would indicate that this border will likely be established in some form, albeit possibly under another name. He believes it needs to be overcome, not just eliminated.
Tensions are high across the now-controversial Line of Control. Either way, both nations have an obligation to quickly address the humanitarian crisis that has accumulated over decades of conflict, blockade, and occupation. Yet, the local community is in a deep fight for survival that remains largely invisible. It leaves them really vulnerable to decisions made by people who are very far outside of their borders.
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