India, Pakistan armies trade fire in Kashmir

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The armies of India and Pakistan Thursday again targeted each other's positions using small arms and heavy artillery on line-of-control (LoC) in Kashmir, officials said.

The ceasefire violations took place along Poonch, around 180 km southwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian- controlled Kashmir.

"Pakistan army today again at 12:05 p.m. (local time) violated the ceasefire by firing small arms and automatics," said Col. R K Palta, Indian army spokesman.

"Our troops retaliated effectively with similar caliber weapons and the exchange lasted for several hours."

Palta said the Indian side has not suffered any damage in the incident. However, reports said two women were wounded after a shell landed near their house.

Reports said Wednesday night also witnessed an exchange of fire between the two sides in Poonch, which continued for several hours.

Exchange of fire between the two nuclear neighbors Thursday has entered the thirteenth straight day with both sides using mortars, RPGs, automatic weapons and heavy machine guns on each other's positions.

Pakistan's official broadcaster Radio Pakistan (RP) Thursday said a Pakistani trooper was killed in Rawalakot due to firing from Indian side. On Tuesday a Pakistani captain was killed and another trooper wounded in similar skirmish in Shakma sector near Kargil.

Both India and Pakistan blame each other of resorting to unprovoked firing that triggers skirmishes resulting in civilian or troop casualties on the either side.

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

Reports said Pakistani's assembly Thursday passed its second resolution expressing serious concern over the continued violation of the ceasefire on LoC by the Indian army and called for constructive and result-oriented peace process.

The confrontation on LoC between two armies however has heightened tension between New Delhi and Islamabad and overshadowed the resumption of Indo-Pak dialogue process.

On Aug. 6, five Indian troops were killed and another wounded in a deadly ambush near Sarla in Poonch.

India accused Pakistani troops of entering into its territory and carrying out the attack, a charge Pakistan denies.

Following the incident a surge in ceasefire violations on LoC was recorded, after Indian Defense Minister A K Antony told media that the Indian armed forces have freedom to respond to the developing situation on LoC appropriately.

The killings and skirmishes on LoC have come at a time when New Delhi and Islamabad were trying to normalize ties and resume the talks.

Efforts were also being made for a meeting between Nawaz Sharif and Manmohan Singh in New York on sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly during the last week of September.

New Delhi and Islamabad in 2003 agreed to observe a ceasefire along the international border and LoC in Kashmir.

New Delhi and Islamabad in 2003 agreed to observe a ceasefire along the international border and LoC in Kashmir. Though some violations have been reported on both sides, the ceasefire remains in effect.

The latest incidents of firing have put a question mark on the 2003 agreement.

In January this year, skirmishes between the two armies claimed lives of five troopers, two from India and three from Pakistan.