Indian and Pakistani forces exchange fire on Kashmir border

Indian and Pakistani forces exchange fire on Kashmir border

2011-09-01 22:17:37 GMT+7 (ICT)

SRINAGAR, KASHMIR (BNO NEWS) -- Three Pakistani soldiers and one Indian soldier have been killed this week during a heavy exchange of fire across the Line of Control in the disputed Kashmir territory, military officials in both countries said on Thursday.

Major General Athar Abbas, a spokesman for the Pakistani military, said Indian Border Security Forces opened fire at a check post in the Neelum Valley sector of Kashmir territory on Tuesday night, killing three Pakistani soldiers, according to Kashmir Watch. He claimed that Indian forces had fired across the border, saying it was "unprovoked."

India, however, claimed that one of its soldier was killed after Pakistan violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control, which divides the disputed territory between the two neighbors, as Indian troops foiled an infiltration bid. "There were two ceasefire violations in Keran sector of Kupwara district from across the Line of Control since 2000 hours Wednesday," Defense spokesman Lt Colonel J S Brar said, as reported by the Press Trust of India.

It was not immediately clear when the exchange of fire took place, as Pakistan said it happened on Tuesday night while India claimed it happened on Wednesday night.

Reacting to the claims made by the Pakistani army, Brar said the Indian army did not violate the ceasefire. "There was an infiltration bid by militants in Keran sector which was foiled by our troops," Brar stated.

Official sources said Pakistani troops opened unprovoked firing at a security post on the Indian side. The Pakistani troops used mortars and heavy weapons to target the Indian position, which was retaliated. The sources said the ceasefire violations from Pakistani side were apparently aimed at giving cover to militants trying to infiltrate into Kashmir before the mountainous passes close with heavy snowfall.

The two countries have fought two wars over Kashmir since independence from Britain in 1947. In 2003, the two nuclear-armed neighbors agreed to a ceasefire, but violations occur at regular intervals.

A guerrilla war has been going on in India-administered Kashmir between militants and the Indian troops. Militant groups are usually blamed for attacks, while soldiers have been accused of rights abuses.

The Indian government says more than 45,000 people - including civilians, militants and troops - have died in the region over the past two decades.

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