3 troopers killed in India-Pakistan crossfire along de facto border at Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Three Indian army troopers including an officer were killed and another wounded Saturday in an exchange of fire with the Pakistani side on the Line of Control (LoC) dividing Kashmir, officials said.

The two sides exchanged heavy fire in Keri sector of frontier Rajouri district, about 222 km southwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Pakistani army today resorted to unprovoked firing along the LoC here, killing three troopers and wounding one," a local government official said. "The slain included an officer of the rank of Major."

Reports said the Indian army also retaliated to the firing from the Pakistani side and the exchange of fire continued for some time.

Reports said the wounded Indian trooper was airlifted to a hospital for treatment.

Also on Friday also, the troops posted on both sides of the LoC in the area exchanged fire. However, no loss of life was reported in the exchange.

According to Indian officials, over 600 incidents of cease-fire violations were recorded along the LoC and the International Border (IB) since the beginning of this year.

The skirmishes have led to killings of soldiers as well as civilians.

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 the 720 km-long LoC and 198 km IB in Kashmir, despite an agreement in 2003 to observe a cease-fire.

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. Enditem