India, Pakistan troops exchange fire in Kashmir

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India, Pakistan troops exchange fire in Kashmir

(Xinhua) 08:10, October 16, 2013

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SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The troops of India and Pakistan posted on line-of-control (LoC) in Kashmir Tuesday resorted to heavy firing on each other's positions, triggering a fresh tension, officials said.

The cease-fire violation took place in early morning in Hamirpur in Bhimber Gali sector of frontier Poonch district, about 185 km southwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian- controlled Kashmir.

"Pakistani army early today at 6:30 a.m. (local time) violated cease-fire and targeted our positions in Hamirpur Battalion of Bhimber Gali sector, using small arms, automatics and mortars," said Col. R K Palta, Indian army spokesman in Jammu, adding "our side also retaliated to Pakistani firing with similar caliber weapons."

According to Palta, intermittent firing continued until late afternoon.

"Our side has not suffered any damage due to Pakistani firing," he said.

On Monday night a similar exchange broke out in the area, however officials said it only lasted for ten minutes.

Last month prime ministers of the two nuclear neighbors agreed to reduce tension along LoC in Kashmir during their meeting on the sidelines of UN General Assembly as the first step towards comprehensive peace in the region.

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

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

Skirmishes between the two armies have been going on almost at daily basis since Aug. 6. The majority of the exchanges took place on LoC in Poonch. Both sides have suffered troop as well as civilian casualties during the standoff on 720 km long LoC.

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

New Delhi accuses Islamabad of providing arms and training to Kashmiri militants. However, Islamabad says it only provides moral and political support to Kashmiris.

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.