Trooper killed in India, Pakistan skirmishes on Kashmir LoC

An Indian army trooper was killed Wednesday in skirmishes between troops of India and Pakistan on the Line of Control (LoC) dividing Kashmir.

The two sides fired on each other's positions in Machil sector of frontier Kupwara district, about 165 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"One soldier was killed today in sniper firing by Pakistani troops in Machil sector," a senior Indian army official said. "In retaliation, fire assault with heavy weapons was being directed on many Pakistan posts."

On Tuesday two troopers were killed and five others injured when a mortar shell fired by Pakistani troops hit them in Nowshera sector of frontier Rajouri district.

The past several weeks have seen a surge in skirmishes on the International Border (IB) and the LoC between the two countries. Apart from troop casualties, the firing has claimed civilian lives on both sides, besides prompting migrations of residents from frontier areas. Officials have ordered closure of 174 schools in frontier areas in wake of shelling.

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 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.

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

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. Endit