SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Troops of India and Pakistan exchanged heavy fire and targeted each other's positions on Line of Control (LoC), dividing Kashmir, officials have said.
The two sides exchanged fire Saturday on LoC in Naushera sector of frontier Rajouri district, about 222 km southwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
Defense officials said the exchange started at around 3:45 p.m. local time and went on for several hours.
"In yet another incident of cease-fire violation along the LoC, Pakistani forces resorted to heavy firing and shelling in Naushera sector of Rajouri district, targeting our posts," an Indian army official said. "Our troops guarding the LoC retaliated to the firing and gave a befitting reply to them."
There were no reports of any casualty or damage on Indian side due to Pakistani firing until last reports poured in.
Earlier this week, a similar exchange took place in Digwar sector of adjacent Poonch district.
Last year saw a surge in skirmishes on International Border (IB) and LoC between the two countries. Apart from troop casualties, the firing has claimed civilian lives on both sides, besides prompting migrations of residents from frontier areas.
Both New Delhi and Islamabad accused each other of resorting to unprovoked firings and violating cease-fire agreements. And both sides maintained that their troops gave befitting reply. The troops of India and Pakistan intermittently exchange fire on 720 km-long LoC and 198 km IB in Kashmir, despite an agreement in 2003 to observe a cease-fire. Though some violations have been reported on both sides, the cease-fire however remains in effect.
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.
