Four Pakistani soldiers were killed on Monday in mortar shelling by Indian forces from across the Line of Control in the disputed Kashmir region, Pakistani officials said.
Three Indian soldiers were also killed in exchange of fire in Janderot Kotli sector, according to Inter Services Public Relations.
But in New Delhi, Indian officials made different claims, saying seven Pakistani soldiers were killed while it lost jut one troop.
In Rawalpindi, Pakistan military’s media wing said “troops were busy in Line communication maintenance when they were fired upon and hit by heavy mortar round.
Exchanges of firing across the LoC were common for years before the 2003 ceasefire in the Himalayan Kashmir territory, recognized by the United Nations as disputed region..
Tensions between India and Pakistan simmered last Friday when Indian army chief General Bipin Rawat threatened to carry out operations inside Pakistan despite the risk of a nuclear conflict as reported by the Indian daily The Hindustan Times.
“The comment drew a stinging reaction from Pakistan’s foreign minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif who termed the statement “irresponsible” and an “invitation for nuclear encounter”.
“If that is what they desire, they are welcome to test our resolve. The general’s doubt would swiftly be removed,” Asif said in a twet.
According to ISPR, 52 civilians were killed and 254 wounded by Indian shelling in the region during the year 2017, more than in all of the previous 14 years combined.
At the same time, the people of Jammu and Kashmir rose repeatedly against the Indian rule in spontaneous reactions to Indian persecution, as documented by UN human rights organizations and reported in the international media.
