When did Prime Minister Indira Gandhi order to close the border between Punjab and Pakistan?

Key Points

• Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered the closure of the border between Punjab and Pakistan on October 16, 1984.
• This action was taken in response to the escalating violence in Punjab due to the insurgency by Sikh militants.
• The closure was intended to prevent the militants from receiving support and supplies from Pakistan.
• This was a significant measure in the Indian government's efforts to restore peace and order in Punjab during that period.

Additional Information

• Indira Gandhi
  • Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India and the first and, to date, the only female Prime Minister of India.
  • She served as Prime Minister from January 1966 to March 1977 and again from January 1980 until her assassination in October 1984.
  • Her leadership was marked by significant events including the Green Revolution, the Emergency period, and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
• Punjab Insurgency
  • The Punjab insurgency was a period of violence and political instability in the Indian state of Punjab during the 1980s.
  • It was primarily fueled by demands for a separate Sikh state called Khalistan.
  • The insurgency led to significant loss of life and disruption in the region, prompting the Indian government to take various measures to curb the violence.
• India-Pakistan Border
  • The India-Pakistan border is one of the most heavily militarized borders in the world.
  • It spans over 3,323 kilometers (2,065 miles) and has been the site of several conflicts and tensions since the partition of British India in 1947.
  • The closure of the border in 1984 was a strategic move to prevent cross-border terrorism and infiltration during the Punjab insurgency.