India officials have claimed at least three soldiers were killed by Pakistani shelling along a disputed area near the border of India-administered Kashmir. According to army officials, Pakistani troops fired at India soldiers without provocation Thursday.
India military spokesman Rajesh Kalia said at least two soldiers were dead and four others injured following the attack. He said another soldier was shot by Pakistani troops in the Poonch sector the night before. Kalia claimed India troops returned fire back.
Pakistani officials have denied the allegations and said India forces violated a cease fire. Officials alleged that unprovoked aggression from India troops had resulted in the injury of at least one civilian.
Pakistan's Foreign Office said it had requested a meeting with a senior India diplomat to discuss the violation. According to the office, a 65-year-old civilian in the Jandrot sector along the line of control was wounded.
The line of control is the de facto border that divides Kashmir. Both countries lay claim to the area which has resulted in many skirmishes.
Pakistan foreign ministry spokesman Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri accused India of intentionally escalating the border dispute to divert attention from its alleged human rights violations in Kashmir. The ministry accused India of committing at least 2,404 violations of the cease fire this year. It said 19 people have been killed and at least 192 were injured.
Tensions between the two nuclear nations escalated in February last year after a suicide bomber killed 40 India paramilitary soldiers. India responded with air raids. Pakistan shot down at least one India plane. India claimed it targeted Pakistan-based fighters responsible for the suicide bombing.
