Difference between LoC and LaC: Since the removal of Article 370, Pakistan has been regularly doing heavy firing on the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB). Prior to this, Indian and Chinese soldiers are fighting at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Read this detailed article to know the exact difference between LoC and LaC
India has many border-related disputes with its neighbors China and Pakistan. Sometimes these border issues led to the escalation of war-like situations between these countries. As a citizen of India, we should know the borders of our country and the fundamental cause of disputes with neighboring countries.
In the following article, we will discuss the exact difference between LoC and LaC. Before coming to the actual point we should know the full form and meaning of LoC and LaC.
What is Line of Control (LoC)
LoC or Line of Control is a live border line with a lot of activities like firing and face-to-face interaction. It is clearly demarcated by the militaries.
It truly denotes a kind of boundary separating parts of Indian UT i.e. Jammu & Kashmir; controlled by India and illegally occupied by Pakistan. The length of LoC is around 776 kilometers.
The Indian part (southern and eastern parts of the region) of LoC is known as Jammu and Kashmir which constitutes about 45 percent of Kashmir.
What is Line of Actual Control (LaC)
The LAC divides Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory. It is a big empty region and nearly 50 to 100 km distance is maintained by the armies of India and China.
The Chinese government considers LAC to be around 2,000 km while India considers the LAC to be 3,488 km long.
LAC is divided into three regions:
- The western sector in Ladakh
- The middle sector in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh
- And the eastern sector spans Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
Now we are in a position to know the difference between LOC and LAC.
Difference between LOC and LAC;
Comparison | LOC | LAC |
Full form | Line of Control | Line of Actual Control |
Location | Three areas of Kashmir (Azad Kashmir, Gilgit, and Baltistan) are occupied by Pakistan, and two-thirds, Jammu, Ladakh, and the Kashmir Valley, are administered by India. (although the whole of Kashmir is an integral part of India) | It is scattered in three areas of northern Indian states: eastern (Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh), western (Ladakh, Kashmir), and middle (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh). |
Appearance | It is clearly demarcated by the militaries and a lot of activities (face-to-face confrontation, firings, etc) take place. Indian and Pakistan army is present here. | These are big empty regions and nearly 50 to 100 km distance is maintained between the Indian and Chinese armies. |
Area (Length) | 776 kilometer (unofficial) | 4,057 kilometer (unofficial) |
Between | India and Pakistan | India and China |
There is no clear-cut demarcation at the LAC which is why standoffs have taken place many times like; Doklam in 2017, Chunar in 2014, Depsang in 2013, and Sumdorong Chu in 1987.