Kashmir attack: India vows 'retribution' after soldier killings

The Indian army has vowed to avenge the killing of three of its soldiers in the disputed Kashmir region as tensions keep rising with Pakistan.

Militants from across the border had ambushed Indian troops and mutilated the body of one soldier, the army said.

Pakistan says at least eight civilians on its side of the de facto border were killed on Wednesday morning when an Indian shell hit a passenger bus.

Both countries accuse each other of violating a 2003 Kashmir truce accord.

Dozens of civilians and soldiers on both sides have been killed since militants attacked an Indian army base in September.

An Indian army officer told the Press Trust of India news agency that a "counter-infiltration patrol party of Indian army was ambushed by terrorists ahead of the fencing along the Line of Control in the forest belt in Machil sector in Kupwara district" on Tuesday.

The Pakistani foreign ministry denied the claim.

"Retribution will be heavy for this cowardly act," Indian army spokesperson Col Rajesh Kalia said.

Following the attack, there was heavy firing and shelling by both sides along the LoC.

Pakistani authorities said at least eight people were killed when a passenger van came under fire from the Indian side in the Neelum valley region. A number of other people in the bus were injured.

(BBC)