Pakistan, India troops exchange fire in disputed Kashmir

Indian security forces are seen along the India-Pakistan borderline in Kashmir. (file photo)

Sat Jul 18, 2015

Pakistani and Indian troops have once again exchanged fire along the de facto border in the disputed region of Kashmir.

The Pakistani army said in a statement that Indian forces used heavy weapons on Saturday to pound Nezapir sector in Kashmir as people were celebrating the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

According to the statement, Pakistani forces responded with their own barrage to the "unprovoked firing" by India.

There has been no immediate report of possible casualties, local officials said.

Indian army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Manish Mehta, however, held Pakistan responsible for initiating the fire.

The Pakistani army targeted Indian positions in Kashmir with guns and mortar attacks for more than two hour on Friday night and again resorted to "unprovoked firing" on Saturday, Mehta said, adding that Indian troops responded "appropriately."

Local police sources said terrified citizens fled the area following the intense artillery fire.

Kashmir lies at the heart of almost 68 years of hostility between India and Pakistan. Both neighbors claim the region in full but have partial control over it.

Islamabad and New Delhi have fought three wars, two of which were launched over Kashmir, since their independence from the British colonial rule in 1947.

In 2003, India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire along the so-called Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, and launched peace talks a year later. The process was, however, suspended after over 160 people lost their lives in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based militants.