India, Pakistan troops trade fire on Kashmir LoC

Updated: 2014-10-05 20:29

(Xinhua)

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SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir -- The troops of India and Pakistan Sunday violated cease-fire agreement and targeted each other's positions on the line-of-control (LoC) dividing Kashmir, officials said.

The two sides using light weapons, heavy artillery and mortars fired on each other's posts in Mendhar sector of Poonch, about 185 km southwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian- controlled Kashmir.

"Pakistan army today resorted to unprovoked firing and targeted our posts in Mendhar sector," said Lt. Col. Manish Mehta, an Indian military spokesman. "Our troops gave befitting reply to firing from Pakistani side and responded with similar caliber weapons."

According to Mehta, the firing started at around 8:00 a.m. ( local time) and continued for some time.

"So far there have been no reports of any killing or damage on our side," he said.

According to India's official broadcaster All India Radio (AIR), Sunday's cease-fire violation was the 10th since the beginning of this month.

The LoC is a de facto border that divides Kashmir into India and Pakistan controlled parts.

The armies and border guards of India and Pakistan intermittently trade fire in Kashmir, despite an agreement to observe a cease-fire.

New Delhi and Islamabad in 2003 agreed to observe cease-fire along the international border (IB) and the LoC in Kashmir. Though some violations have been reported on both sides, the cease-fire remains in effect.

Both New Delhi and Islamabad blame each other of resorting to unprovoked firings.

Last year deadly skirmishes took place between Indian and Pakistani troops posted on the 720 km long LoC and 198 km IB in Kashmir. Both sides have suffered troop as well as civilian casualties during the stand-off.

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

 

 

 

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