Indian, Pakistani soldiers exchange fire in Kashmir

Indian and Pakistani soldiers have exchanged fire along the de facto border dividing the disputed region of Kashmir, Indian military sources say.

Army spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said Indian and Pakistani troops traded fire close to the town of Uri on Tuesday.

Colonel Kalia accused Pakistani army troops of a "ceasefire violation" and opening fire along the Line of Control (LoC).

An unnamed Indian police officer said "small arms exchange of fire is on in the area."

There has been no immediate report of casualties, and Islamabad has yet to comment on the latest incident of fighting in the volatile region.

On Sunday, militants attacked an Indian army base in Kashmir. Nearly 20 Indian soldiers were killed. The Indian army blamed Pakistan-based militants for the assault. Islamabad denies any role in the deadly assault.

Indian military sources said on Tuesday Indian troops fired at a group of at least eight people and killed them all.

The sources said the group sought to intrude into Indian-controlled Kashmir near Uri.

Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said no shot had been fired by Pakistani forces.

"There seems to be some activity across the border but there has been no activity from our side, not one shot fired from here," he said.

Indian and Pakistani forces have been engaged in similar clashes in the disputed valley over the past months. The two sides accuse each other of provocation.

SS