India, Pakistan border guards exchange fire on Kashmir border

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- India and Pakistan border guards Thursday exchanged fire on international border in Kashmir, India's official broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) said.

The ceasefire violation took place Thursday morning along frontier district of Samba, around 50 km southwest of Jammu, the winter capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

The AIR quoting an official of Border Security Force (BSF) said Pakistani Rangers resorted to indiscriminate firing on Indian forward post in Chechwal belt.Indian border guards also fired in retaliation.

"BSF troops guarding the border took positions and fired back resulting in exchange of firing, which continued for about 15 minutes," said AIR.

However, no loss of life or damage to property was reported in the exchange.A couple was wounded in a Samba village on Monday in similar skirmish between the two sides.

According to AIR, 21 ceasefire violations by Pakistani side were recorded in the past less than two months along the International Border and line of control (LoC) dividing 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.

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. Enditem

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