India, Pakistan troops exchange fires on Kashmir LoC

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir - The troops of India and Pakistan posted on line-of-control (LoC) in Kashmir shot at each other's positions, officials said Sunday.

The cease-fire violation took place Saturday night in Krishna Ghati sector of frontier Poonch district, about 185 km southwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Pakistani army last night at 11:35 (local time) violated cease-fire and targeted our positions in Mendhar sector using small arms and automatics," Lt. Col. Manish Mehta, Indian army spokesman in Jammu said. "Our men posted there also fired in retaliation using similar caliber weapons."

The firing continued for some time.

"We have not suffered any damage due to Pakistani firing," Mehta said.

This is the third cease-fire violation of the month so far.

Pakistani side has yet to make comment on the Indian allegations.

In December last year Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of two countries met for talks at Wagah-Attari border and pledged to uphold 2003 cease-fire agreement on the LoC, besides agreeing to work out a mechanism to ensure peace and ease tensions.

Last year deadly skirmishes took place between Indian and Pakistani troops posted on 720-km-long LoC and 198-km International Border (IB) in Kashmir. Troops and civilians from both sides have suffered casualties during the stand-off.

Indian army said about 200 cease-fire violations were recorded on LoC and IB in Kashmir last year.

Both New Delhi and Islamabad blamed each other for violating cease-fire. New Delhi and Islamabad in 2003 agreed to observe cease-fire along IB and LoC in Kashmir. Though some violations have been reported on both sides, the cease-fire remains in effect.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from British, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.