View source for India–Pakistan border

{{short description|International border}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{EngvarB|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox border
 | name = India–Pakistan border
 | image = India-Pakistan Border at Night.jpg
 | caption = Nighttime panorama from [[outer space]] showing the border's span from the [[Arabian Sea]] to the foothills of the [[Himalayas]]
 | territory1 = {{flag|India}}
 | territory2 = {{flag|Pakistan}}
 | length = {{convert|3323|km}}
 | established = 17 August 1947
 | establishedreason = [[Partition of India]]
 | current = 2 July 1972
 | currentreason = Demarcation of the [[Line of Control]] post-ratification of the [[Simla Agreement|Shimla Agreement]]
 | treaties = [[Karachi Agreement]] (1949), [[Shimla Agreement]] (1972)
 | notes = The Line of Control divides [[Kashmir]] between India and Pakistan—it is not a part of the internationally recognized section of the border due to the [[Kashmir conflict]]
}}

The '''India–Pakistan border''' is the [[international boundary]] that separates the nations of the [[India|Republic of India]] and the [[Pakistan|Islamic Republic of Pakistan]]. At its northern end is the [[Line of Control]], which separates [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Indian-administered Jammu & Kashmir]] from [[Azad Kashmir|Pakistani- administered Kashmir]]; and at its southern end is [[Sir Creek]], a [[Estuary|tidal estuary]] in the [[Rann of Kutch]] between the Indian state of [[Gujarat]] and the Pakistani province of [[Sindh]].<ref name="Dawn News archives">{{cite news|last=Khan|first=MH|title=Back on track|url=http://archives.dawn.com/weekly/dmag/archive/060305/dmag6.htm|access-date=15 April 2013|newspaper=Dawn News archives|date=5 March 2006}}</ref>

Arising from the [[partition of India]] in 1947, the border covers the provincial boundaries of Gujarat and [[Rajasthan]] with [[Sindh]], and the [[Radcliffe Line]] between the partitions of Punjab. It traverses a variety of terrain in the [[Northwestern Indian subcontinent|northwestern region]] of [[the subcontinent]], ranging from major urban areas to inhospitable deserts.<ref name="PBS">{{cite news|last=PBS Release|date=26 July 2005|title=Border Jumpers The World's Most Complex Borders: Pakistan/India|newspaper=PBS|url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/uncategorized/the-worlds-most-complex-borders-pakistanindia/2340/|access-date=15 April 2013}}</ref> Since the beginning of the [[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts|India–Pakistan conflict]] shortly after the two countries' conjoined independence, it has been the site of numerous cross-border military standoffs and full-scale wars.<ref name="PBS"/> The border's total length is {{convert|2065|mi|km|order=flip}} according to figures given by the [[PBS]];<ref name="PBS" /> it is also ranked as one of the most dangerous international boundaries in the world, based on an article written in ''[[Foreign Policy]]'' in 2011.<ref name="The Foreign Policy">{{cite news|last=PHILIP WALKER|title=The World's Most Dangerous Borders|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/06/24/the_worlds_most_dangerous_borders|access-date=15 April 2013|newspaper=The Foreign Policy|date=24 June 2011|archive-date=24 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130324181910/http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/06/24/the_worlds_most_dangerous_borders|url-status=dead}}</ref> During the nighttime, the India–Pakistan border is distinctly visible from outer space due to the 150,000 [[floodlight]]s installed by India on approximately 50,000 poles.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view.php?id=86725|title = India-Pakistan Borderlands at Night|date = 23 September 2015|access-date = 14 October 2015|website = India-Pakistan Border at Night|publisher = NASA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/86000/86725/iss045e027869.jpg|title=Annotated image from NASA}}</ref>
{{anchor|Working Boundary}}

==Sections==
[[File:Kashmir Region (working boundary).jpg|thumb|Map of the [[Kashmir]] region showing the [[Line of Control|Line of Control (LoC)]] and the Working Boundary between India and Pakistan]]

The India-Pakistan border includes mutually-recognised International Border and several disputed sections,<ref name="time19890731"/> listed from north to south:

# ''[[Actual Ground Position Line]]'' (AGPL) - separates the current positions of Indian and Pakistani military posts and troops along the {{convert|110|km|mi}} long frontline in the [[Siachen conflict|disputed region]] of [[Siachen Glacier]]:<ref>[http://tribune.com.pk/story/368394/the-fight-for-siachen/ The fight for Siachen]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asianconversations.com/SiachenGlacier.php |title=The endless India-Pakistan sabre-rattling over Siachen glacier and the Line of Control can be resolved by turning the area into a peace park for glacial and weather studies, by B G Verghese, and more from Asian Conversations and Dancing Wolf Media |access-date=2015-04-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412102328/http://www.asianconversations.com/SiachenGlacier.php |archive-date=2015-04-12 }}</ref><ref>[http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/siachen-while-the-battle-continues-to-rage-no-settlement-is-in-sight/1/306971.html They shall not pass]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.timescrest.com/opinion/bullish-on-siachen-9572 |title=Bullish on siachen |access-date=2014-02-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222021918/http://www.timescrest.com/opinion/bullish-on-siachen-9572 |archive-date=2014-02-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It runs along the [[Saltoro Mountains]] range, beginning from the northernmost point of the ([[Line of Control|LOC]]) at Point [[NJ 9842]] and ending in the north on the [[Indira Col|Indira Ridge]] at the India-China-Pakistan [[Line of Actual Control|LAC]] tripoint near [[Sia Kangri]] about {{cvt|4|km}} northwest of [[Indira Col|Indira Col West]], with peaks in excess of {{cvt|7000|m}} and temperatures ranging to around {{cvt|-55|C}}.<ref name=agp2>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/2020/aug/31/revisiting-siachen-after-the-ladakh-stand-off-2190461.html|title=Revisiting Siachen after the Ladakh stand-off|date=31 August 2020 }}</ref><ref name=controlall1>[https://theprint.in/opinion/how-india-realised-it-was-at-risk-of-losing-the-siachen-glacier-to-pakistan/49141/ How India realised it was at risk of losing the Siachen glacier to Pakistan], The Print, 12 April 2018.</ref> India gained control of {{convert|1000|sqmi|km2}} of disputed territory in 1984 because of its [[Siachen conflict|military operations]] in Siachen.<ref name="time19890731">{{cite magazine | url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,958254-2,00.html | magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] | title=The Himalayas War at the Top Of the World | date=31 July 1989 | first=Edward W. | last=Desmond | location=Kashmir | access-date=11 October 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114104526/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C958254-2%2C00.html | archive-date=14 January 2009 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="time.com">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,958254-2,00.html|title=The Himalayas War at the Top Of the World|first=Edward W.|last=Desmond|date=31 July 1989|magazine=Time|access-date=11 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114104526/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C958254-2%2C00.html|archive-date=14 January 2009|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> 
# ''[[Line of Control|Line of Control (LoC)]]'' - separates disputed areas of Indian-administered [[Ladakh]] and [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir UT]] from [[Pakistani-administered Kashmir]]: It was demarcated after the [[Simla Agreement|1972 Simla Agreement]]. Earlier the UN-mediated [[Karachi Agreement|ceasefire line]] of 1949 served as the ''de facto'' border between the two regions after the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947]], which was revised to a [[Line of Control]] after the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]].<ref name="cnn20131108">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2013/11/08/world/kashmir-fast-facts/index.html|title=Kashmir Fast Facts|date=8 November 2013|website=CNN|access-date=2019-04-20}}</ref>
# ''Working Boundary'' (WB) - separates the disputed section of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir from the [[Punjab, Pakistan|Pakistani Punjab]]: It is referred to as a working boundary by the UN,<ref name="Deployment"/> while India regards it as the international border.<ref name="cnn20131108" /> Pakistani Punjab is internationally recognized as a part of Pakistan by both parties while [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] is a disputed territory (claimed by Pakistan, controlled by India).<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-03-03|title=From Line of Control to Working Boundary|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/209941/line-control-working-boundary/|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Daily Times|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="cnn20131108" /><ref name="Deployment">{{Cite web|date=2022-04-02|title=Deployment|url=https://unmogip.unmissions.org/deployment|access-date=2022-04-02|website=United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan|language=en-US}}</ref> 
# ''International Boundary'' (IB) or ''[[Radcliffe Line]]'' - runs from Punjab to [[Gujarat]] and [[Sindh]]: The demarcated line between the India and Pakistan is recognized by both nations.
# ''[[Sir Creek]]'' - separates southern Gujarat in India from southern Sindh in Pakistan:<ref name="refute1">{{cite web|title=The troubled waters of Sir Creek: Gujarat CM's demand for a freeze on the disputed creek complicates issue, dated 16 December 2012|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/sir-creek-dispute-gujarat-chief-minister-narendra-mod-rann-of-kutchmaritime-boundary-124418-2012-12-16|work=India Today|date=16 December 2012 |access-date=29 Dec 2019}}</ref> The long-standing India-Pakistan Sir Creek border dispute stems from the demarcation "from the mouth of Sir Creek to the top of Sir Creek, and from the top of Sir Creek eastward to a point on the line designated on the Western Terminus".<ref name="refute1" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-pakistan-security-experts-declare-sir-creek-dispute-technically-resolved-1885667|title=Pakistan security experts declare Sir Creek dispute 'technically resolved'|date=7 September 2013|work=dna}}</ref> From this point onward, the boundary is unambiguously fixed as defined by the Tribunal Award of 1968.<ref name="tribune">{{cite web |title=Kargilisation of Sir Creek|work=The Tribune, Chandigarh |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000307/edit.htm#1|access-date=May 21, 2006}}</ref>

==Barrier==
{{see also | Borders_of_India#Barriers | l1= India's border barriers with neighbouring countries}}

Out of total {{convert|3323|km|mi}} length of border with Pakistan, [[Government of India]] has completely fenced {{convert|2064|km|mi}} by 2024 and the remaining {{convert|916|km|mi}} is covered by physical and non-physical barriers as it is not feasible to fence the entire border due to densely forested rugged mountains, riverine and marshy areas. India has similar fence on borders with [[Bangladesh–India_border#Barrier|Bangladesh]] and [[India–Myanmar_border#Barrier|Myanmar]].<ref name=borff1>[https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/1643-km-indo-myanmar-border-to-be-fenced-a-patrol-track-to-be-built-amit-shah-101707231177832.html 1643 km Indo-Myanmar border to be fenced, a patrol track to be built: Amit Shah], Hindustan Times, 6 Feb 2024.</ref>

In February 2025, India's [[Central Public Works Department]] (CPWD) started to construct a 1,450 km long border road along the border barrier across the Indian Punjab (354 km) and Rajsthan (1096 km). This will enable the swifter access, strengthen the anti-drug and anti-terrorism patrolling, and act as anti-tunnel mechanism.<ref name=bordrd1>[https://www.msn.com/hi-in/news/other/%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A5-%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%82-%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A-%E0%A4%AE-%E0%A4%B8-%E0%A4%AE-%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9-%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%9B-%E0%A4%90%E0%A4%B8-%E0%A4%9C-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%AA-%E0%A4%95-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4-%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%BC-%E0%A4%9C-%E0%A4%8F%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%B9-%E0%A4%B6-bsf-%E0%A4%95-%E0%A4%95-%E0%A4%AE-%E0%A4%B9-%E0%A4%97-%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%B8-%E0%A4%A8/ar-AA1yHe5y?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=e0dc1a06456746cd8ce6b65d3e045d4b&ei=9 राजस्थान में पश्चिमी सीमा पर बन रहा कुछ ऐसा, जिससे पाकिस्तान के उड़ जाएंगे होश, BSF का काम होगा आसान], MSN.com, 9 Feb 2025.</ref>

== Border crossings ==
{{see also| Borders_of_India#Designated_crossings_with_ICP_&_LCS | label 1 = Designated border crossings of India | Transport between India and Pakistan}}

* '''Border crossings''' with designated immigration and customs facilities are:
**[[Attari]] and [[Wagah]] is the most famous and prominent, due to the [[Attari–Wagah border ceremony]]. The crossing is located 32 kilometres from Amritsar and 24 kilometers from Lahore.
**[[Kartarpur Corridor]] is the newest border crossing. While currently it only serves pilgrims from India to [[Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur]] with a valid [[Electronic Travel Authorisation]], it has designated immigration and customs facilities.
** [[Munabao]], a village in [[Barmer district]], [[Rajasthan]], has a railway station through which the [[Thar Express]] connects India with Pakistan. The crossing point had been closed after the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]. It reopened in 2006 but closed again in 2019.<ref>[https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-suspends-jodhpur-karachi-thar-express-train/story-OJfQP6DrSnwVrkjpau5WaM.html hindustantimes.com], Retrieved 21 August 2020</ref>
* '''Other crossings''' 
** [[Ganda Singh Wala]] border, [[Kasur District]] (Pakistan side) / [[Hussainiwala]] border, [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] (India side) 
** [[Sulemanki Headworks|Sulaimanki]], [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]] (Pakistan side) / [[Fazilka]] border, [[Fazilka district]], Punjab (India side) 
** [[Longewala]] (closed)

== Border ceremonies ==
{{anchor | Ceremony | Border ceremony }}
{{see also | Borders_of_India#Beating retreat | l1= India's Border ceremonies with neighbours }}
[[File:Wagah border ceremony2015 03.jpg|alt=Pakistani border soldier performing a high kick at the Wagah border ceremony in 2015.|thumb|187x187px|[[Wagah]] border ceremony, 2015.]]

At the following border crossing sites and the [[beating retreat]] flag ceremonies are jointly held by the military of both nations every day at 6:30 pm, which are open to public as tourist attractions.<ref name=cer1>[https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/indo-pak-border-839044-2016-10-10 5 crossing points in India: All you need to know], India Today, 10 OCt 2016.</ref><ref name=cer2>[https://changing-guard.com/changing-guard-worldwide/wagah-india.html Beating Retreat Wagah India], CHanging Guards, accessed 8 July 2021.</ref> No special permit or ticket is needed. The ceremony sites are as follows (from north to south):

* [[Punjab, India]] – [[Punjab, Pakistan]]
** [[Attari–Wagah border ceremony]] near [[Amritsar]] in Punjab:<ref name="cer1" /><ref name="cer2" /> The flag lowering ceremony at the village of [[Wagah]] is held each evening immediately before sunset by the border agents of Pakistan ([[Pakistan Rangers]]) and India ([[Border Security Force]] or BSF).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2010/nov/01/india-pakistan-border-showdown-toned-down|title=Goodbye to the ceremony of silly walks between India and Pakistan|last=Khaleeli|first=Homa|date=2010-11-01|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-04-19|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The ceremony begins with battle calls from both sides in the form of loud screaming done by the border guards. This is followed by a series of organized high kicks, stomps, and dance moves during which the opposing forces stare each other down.<ref name="bbc20150429">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20150429-indias-bizarre-border-ritual|title=India and Pakistan's beautiful border ritual|last=Clark|first=Tawny|website=www.bbc.com|language=en|access-date=2019-04-20}}</ref> The event ends with a handshake of good faith being exchanged by the head guards along with the lowering of the flags.<ref name="bbc20150429" /> It is symbolic of the brotherhood as well as the rivalry that these two nations share.<ref name="bbc20150429" /> The border troops are known to exchange sweets with the opposing side during the Muslim holidays of [[Muslim holidays|Eid]] and Hindu holiday of [[Diwali]]. It has been a peaceful gathering with the exception of the [[2014 Wagah border suicide attack]] by Islamist terrorists in which 60 people were killed and over 110 people were left injured.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-29871077|title=Pakistan border bombing kills dozens|date=2014-11-03|access-date=2019-04-20|language=en-GB}}</ref>
** [[Hussainiwala#Ceremony|Hussainiwala–Ganda Singh Wala border ceremony]] near [[Firozepur]] in Punjab.<ref name=cer1/><ref name=cer2/>
** [[Fazilka#Ceremony|Sadiqui–Sulemanki border ceremony]] near [[Fazilka]] in Punjab.<ref name=Mahavir1>[https://fazilka.nic.in/tourist-place/sadqi-retreat-ceremony/ Sadqi retreat ceremony], nic.in, accessed 8 July 2021.</ref><ref name=Mahavir2>[https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/punjab-sadiqi-border-in-fazilka-will-be-another-wagah/story-seJrYctRLdv5jI3KdHBuzJ.html Second Wagah: India, Pak agree to new ceremony, beating retreat on Punjab border], Hindustan Times, 201 April 2017.</ref><ref name=Mahavir3>[https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/punjab/at-sadiqi-border-strained-indo-pak-ties-dampen-spirits-818449 At Sadiqi border, strained Indo-Pak ties dampen spirits], The Tribune, 17 April 2019.</ref>
* [[Rajasthan]] – [[Sindh]]
** [[Munabao#Ceremony|Munabao–Khokhrapar border ceremony]] in [[Barmer district]] in Rajasthan.<ref name="cer1" /><ref name="cer2" />

==Gallery==
{{gallery
|align=center
|Image: Baba Chamliyal Mela at Indo-Pak international Border, near Jammu.jpg|"Baba Chamliyal Mela" traditional celebration at the India–Pakistan border near [[Ramgarh, Jammu and Kashmir|Ramgarh]], 45 km (28 mi) from [[Jammu]], where both [[Indian people|Indians]] and [[Pakistanis]] take part in the festivities.|Image:International border at Wagah - evening flag lowering ceremony.jpg|Evening [[Wagah-Attari border ceremony|Wagah–Attari border ceremony]], as seen from the Pakistan`s side.|Image:India-Pakistan Borderlands at Night - NASA Earth Observatory.jpg|The [[floodlight|floodlit]] border zone between Pakistan and India seen from [[outer space]].|Image:Trucks on NH1, waiting to cross Wagah border.jpg|Trucks on the former [[National Highway 1 (India, old numbering)|Indian National Highway 1]], waiting to cross the border at Wagah–Attari.|Image:Pak Ranger at Wagah.jpg|[[Pakistan Rangers|Pakistani Ranger]] standing guard at the [[Wagah]] border crossing.|Image:Women personnel of India's Border Security Force.jpg|Female Indian [[Border Security Force]] personnel taking part in the ceremonial retreat at the India–Pakistan border crossing (Wagah–Attari), 2010.|Image:India-Pak border west.png|Map of the India–Pakistan border along the [[Rann of Kutch]] between [[Gujarat, India]] and [[Sindh, Pakistan]].|Image:India pakistan border november 2017.jpg|India-Pakistan border at [[Wagah]], 2017|India gate1.jpg|India gate in Wagah/Attari|Image:Indo-Pak Border.jpg|A [[Tourism|tourist]] in front of the [[Wagah]] border post, on the Pakistani side, looking towards [[Attari]] on the Indian side.}}

== See also ==
{{portal|India|Pakistan}}

* [[Borders of India]]
*[[Borders of Pakistan]]
*[[Partition of India]]
** [[Radcliffe Line]]
* [[India–Pakistan relations]]
* [[India–Pakistan border skirmishes (disambiguation)|India–Pakistan border skirmishes]]
* [[India–Pakistan maritime trespassing]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{commons category-inline|India-Pakistan border}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5Ps1TZXAN8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/r5Ps1TZXAN8 |archive-date=2021-12-14|url-status=live|title=How this border transformed a subcontinent <nowiki>|</nowiki> India & Pakistan|publisher=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]|date=2019-06-26}}{{cbignore}}
* [https://fall.law.fsu.edu/collection/LimitsinSeas/IBS086.pdf International Boundary Study No. 86 – 2 December 1968 India – Pakistan Boundary]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tKO9XV15NQ Last Village in India Pakistan border Whose walls are on the Zero Line]
{{Clear}}

{{Borders of India}}
{{Borders of Pakistan}}
{{India-Pakistan relations}}
{{coord missing|India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:India-Pakistan border}}
[[Category:India–Pakistan border| ]]
[[Category:Borders of India]]
[[Category:Borders of Pakistan]]
[[Category:International borders]]
[[Category:India–Pakistan relations|Border]]