Death toll in India, Pakistan skirmish on LoC rises to 6 in Indian-controlled Kashmir

The death toll of civilians on Indian-controlled Kashmir side in deadly skirmishes near the Line of Control (LoC) between troops of India and Pakistan has gone up to six, officials said Sunday.

The exchange of fire broke out in Balkot sector of Poonch, about 185 km southwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"With the killing of a woman this morning in heavy firing and mortar bomb shelling by Pakistani troops at several Indian posts and civilian areas along the LoC in Poonch district since Saturday, the death toll has risen to six," an Indian official said. " Yesterday three civilians were killed and 10 others wounded in the exchange between two sides but later on, two succumbed to their wounds late evening."

India's official broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) said Indian military retaliated to the firing from Pakistan effectively and heavy exchanges were going on in Balalkote and Poonch sectors.

The broadcaster quoting military spokesman Lt. Col. Manish Mehta as blaming Pakistani military for heavy firing and mortar shelling on forward posts and civilian villages in Poonch and Balakote sectors since Sunday morning.

Pakistan however accuses Indian military of initiating the firing.

The fresh skirmish has triggered panic among the civilians on both sides of LoC, who according to reports, have started fleeing from their houses.

Indian-controlled Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed Saturday called for immediate de-escalation of tension along the LoC in wake of deadly firing, urging political leadership of India and Pakistan to respect and uphold a 2003 ceasefire.

"Ironically at a time when the two countries should have been celebrating their independence, they are engaged in virulent and dangerous confrontation along the borders," Sayeed said. "New Delhi and Islamabad must without delay open the channels of communication realizing the dangerous consequences of any escalation of ongoing confrontation along the borders."

LoC is a de facto border that divides Kashmir into India and Pakistan controlled parts.

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

India and Pakistan have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir and both claim the territory in full.

The skirmishes came before the first-ever security talks between the two neighbors on Aug. 23 in New Delhi. Endi