Fresh Perspective

The author provides a detailed analysis of the dynamics of the Line of Control in this rather important book

Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia (retd)

Line of Fire by Happymon Jacob seeks to address the causes of Ceasefire Violations (CFVs) along the Line of Control (LC), the links between CFVs and crisis escalation, and the dangers of CFV-linked escalation under nuclear overhang. In doing so, the book further nuances the existing notions about the escalatory dynamics between India and Pakistan.

India shares a 3,323 km long border with Pakistan, of which, 1,125 km lies in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Army mans the 772.1 km LC and the 126.2 km Actual Ground Position Line along the Siachen glacier. A 201 km long International Border (IB) is manned by the Border Security Force (BSF), except for a 10 km stretch manned by the army south of Chenab river. On the Pakistani side, the IB sector is managed by the Chenab Rangers, and the Pakistan Army mans the LC. Pakistan also occupies 78,114 sq. km of Indian territory in Jammu and Kashmir and has been waging a proxy war for the last three decades. Internal security threats emanate from across the LC with active support to terrorist by Pakistan as a state policy. Hence, it is imperative to analyse and understand the dynamics along the LC. There have been numerous books and articles published detailing India’s security challenges, India-Pakistan equations as also on terrorism, however Line of Fire is the first detailed book which comprehensively analyses the dynamics of the LC which continues to be one of the most militarily manned, mined and violent line in the world. The book has not only been written after extensive research based on interviews of 80 experts from either side of the borders, but the author has also physically travelled and traversed the LC on both Indian and Pakistani side, gaining an unprecedented perspective of ground realities as also contradictory positions and narratives. In addition, the book analyses extensive data sets available in the public domain. In essence, this book offers to de-mythify popular notions about the CFVs and India-Pakistan escalation dynamics, further explaining CFVs using the concept of Autonomous Military Factors (AMFs). All those who have served along the LC will certainly find it apt and interesting, relating to the terrain and incidents, and others who want to understand the LC will get a comprehensive view of the dynamics and realities of the border on either side.

The author has undertaken an in-depth empirical examination of the linkages between terrorist incidents, CFVs and escalation dynamic. While this study does not dispute the significance of terrorist incidents (such as the attacks on Mumbai in 2008 or the Uri Army camp in 2016) in explaining escalation dynamics, it argues that CFVs are a major source of political, military,