Pakistan says three of its soldiers have been killed after Indian forces fired across the de facto border in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.
The Pakistani army said on Thursday that Indian forces opened "unprovoked" fire across the Line of Control -- which divides the parts of Kashmir administered by India and Pakistan -- in Neelam Valley, Reuters reported.
"The soldiers were moving from one post to another when they came under fire. Three soldiers were killed," military Spokesman Major Gen. Athar Abbas said.
He added that Pakistani forces returned fire in retaliation, and the incident was raised with local Indian commanders.
However, Indian army spokesman Lt. Col. J.S. Brar said the Pakistanis shot first.
"They opened fire first and we retaliated ... In the morning again they started firing mortars again and we retaliated and the exchange of fire continued," he said.
Islamabad and New Delhi have fought two wars over Kashmir since their independence from British colonial rule in 1947. The arch rivals lay claim over the whole region but control parts of it.
India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire along the Line of Control in 2003, and a year later launched talks aimed at brokering a regional peace.
The process was however suspended after over 160 people lost their lives in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based militants.
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