The border guards of India and Pakistan on Saturday fired on each other's posts along the international border (IB) in Kashmir, officials said.

The exchange of fire between the two sides was reported early Saturday from the IB in Arnia sector of Jammu district, about 322 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Pakistan forces today started unprovoked firing targeting Indian posts using small and medium arms at around 12:10 a.m. ( local time)," officials said. "The firing was effectively retaliated by India's Border Security Force (BSF) troops guarding the border."

The exchange of fire lasted for around one hour.

Indian officials said there were no reports of damage on the Indian side.

On Wednesday border guards of the two countries fired on each other's posts using mortars in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district.

Both New Delhi and Islamabad accused each other of resorting to unprovoked firings and violating cease-fire agreements, while maintaining that their troops gave befitting reply to the other side.

The troops of India and Pakistan intermittently exchange fire on the Line of Control (LoC) and IB, despite an agreement in 2003 to observe cease-fire. Though some violations have been reported on both sides, the cease-fire however remains in effect.

The LoC is a de facto border that divides Kashmir into India and Pakistan controlled parts. The LoC on both sides is guarded by army, while the IB is guarded by BSF on Indian side and Pakistan Rangers on the other side.

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. Endi

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)