India, Pakistan Armies Exchange Fire on Kashmir Loc

Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir (Antara/Xinhua-OANA) - The troops of India and Pakistan resorted to cease-fire violations and fired on each other's positions on the line-of-control (LoC) dividing Kashmir, officials said Saturday. The two sides using light, heavy artillery and mortars targeted each other's posts during evening and night on Friday. "Pakistan army resorted to unprovoked firing and targeted Dabbi Post last evening in Balakote Sector of Mendhar," said Lt Col Manish Mehta, a military spokesman. "In another cease-fire violation during night, they targeted our forward posts in Pallanwala sector in Akhnoor." According to Mehta, the Indian army retaliated to firing from Pakistani side using similar caliber weapons and the exchange lasted for brief time. However, in the fresh exchange there were no reports of any killing or damage on the Indian side. There has been a surge in the incidents of cease-fire violation on the LoC and international border (IB) in Kashmir between the two sides. The firings this month have resulted in casualties on both sides, besides damage to civilian areas. The armies and border guards of India and Pakistan intermittently trade fire in Kashmir, despite an agreement in 2003 to observe cease-fire. Both New Delhi and Islamabad blame each other of resorting to unprovoked firings. LoC is a de facto border that divides Kashmir into India and Pakistan controlled parts. 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.(*)