Roundup: Trooper, civilian wounded in India, Pakistan skirmishes on Kashmir LoC

An Indian military trooper and a civilian were wounded Friday in ongoing deadly skirmishes between the troops of India and Pakistan on Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, officials said.

The two armies resorted to firing on each other's positions in Balakot sector of frontier Poonch district, about 185 km southwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"An army trooper and a villager were wounded when Pakistan violated cease-fire for the fourth consecutive day today by resorting to heavy firing and mortar shelling along LoC in Balakot sector, forcing Indian troops to retaliate," India's official broadcaster - All India Radio (AIR) said.

Locals said, the civilian was wounded after being hit by splinters of a shell that landed near his house.

"He was wounded critically and immediately removed to hospital, " locals told media.

The exchange of fire between the two sides was going on until last reports came in.

Indian military officials said cease-fire violations took place on Thursday as well.

Pakistan's official broadcaster - Radio Pakistan said two civilians including a 13-year-old girl were killed in "unprovoked" firing by Indian troops in Kotli and Nakiyal sectors along LoC on Thursday.

According to the broadcaster, Pakistani forces gave a befitting response to Indian firing.

There has been no let up in the cease-fire violations on LoC despite an agreement signed by India and Pakistan last week to maintain peace and tranquillity on the border.

In the recently concluded three-day director general- level talks, the two sides agreed to stop mortar shelling on each other.

India maintained talks with Pakistan were productive and the disputes have been resolved; however skirmishes on LoC continued even during the talks.

Both New Delhi and Islamabad accuse each other of resorting to unprovoked firings and violating cease-fire agreements. And both sides maintain that their troops gave befitting reply.

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 cease-fire. Though some violations have been reported on both sides, the cease-fire however remains in effect.

LoC is a de facto border that divides Kashmir into India and Pakistan controlled parts. The LoC is heavily guarded by military on both sides.

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