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Pakistan says Indian cross-border firing kills civilian in Kashmir

Xinhua, February 14, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Pakistani army said on Saturday that Indian troops killed a civilian in the latest cross- border firing, a day after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he will soon send his top diplomat to Islamabad.

Pakistan and Indian border forces have been involved in clashes along the Line of Control (LoC), which divides the two countries in the disputed Kashmir region, in recent days despite a 2003 ceasefire agreement. They also routinely trade fire along the international border.

"A 60-year old civilian Muhammad Asalm embraced 'shahadat' ( martyrdom) at the Line of Control in Rawalakot sector this afternoon due to unprovoked Indian firing," the military said in a statement.

"He received three bullets in abdomen while he was cutting grass/wood 100-150 meters toward own side of the LoC," the statement said.

Pakistani troops gave "befitting response" to the Indian firing, the statement added.

Indian defense officials also claimed casualties in recent exchange of firing.

The latest clashes occurred following a phone call from Indian Prime Minister Modi to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif, claiming that he will be sending his Foreign Secretary to Islamabad for meetings about the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Modi used his call to express best wishes for Pakistani cricket team in the ongoing World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Syed Akbarduddin said, describing the phone call as "Cricket Diplomacy" on his Twitter account.

Pakistan and Indian teams, the traditional rivals, will face each other on Sunday in Australia that is expected to be watched by millions.

Indian abruptly canceled dialogue with Pakistan in August last year as a protest over a meeting of the Pakistani High Commissioner in New Delhi with Kashmiri separatist leaders.

Although the Indian prime minister said the top diplomat visit is linked with the SAARC, it has however raised hopes for the revival of the dialogue process.

The SAARC groups Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister Sharif traveled to India for the inauguration of Modi in May last year. However, India has not resumed the Composite Dialogue with Pakistan. Endi