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India, Pakistan border guards violate cease-fire on Kashmir border

Xinhua, April 20, 2015 Adjust font size:

The border guards of India and Pakistan violated ceasefire on International Border (IB) in Kashmir and targeted each other's positions, India's official broadcaster - All India Radio (AIR) said Monday.

The two sides exchanged fire along forward posts in Hiranagar area of Kathua district, about 345 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"In an incident of ceasefire violation, Pakistan forces resorted to shelling in civilian areas in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district last night," the broadcaster quoting border guard sources said. "Forces from across the border fired three mortars which landed in civilian areas."

According to the broadcaster, Indian border guards of Border Security Force (BSF) posted along the IB retaliated to firing from Pakistan and the exchange of fire lasted for few hours.

"This was the third incident of ceasefire violation in this sector in last five days," AIR said.

However, there were no reports of any damage to Indian side in the fresh exchange.

Both New Delhi and Islamabad accuse each other of resorting to unprovoked firings and violating ceasefire agreements. And both sides maintain their troops gave befitting reply to the other side.

The fresh shelling in civilian areas has once again triggered panic among the border residents.

Earlier this year deadly exchanges between troops of the two countries triggered migrations of civilians from frontier areas.

The troops of India and Pakistan intermittently exchange fire on 720 km-long Line of Control (LoC) and 198 km IB in Kashmir, despite an agreement in 2003 to observe ceasefire. Though some violations have been reported on both sides, the cease-fire however remains in effect.

Indian officials said 564 ceasefire violations - 411 along IB and 153 violations along LoC - were recorded last year.

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 IB is guarded by BSF on Indian side and Pakistan Rangers on the other side. Endi