Pakistan summons India diplomat over Kashmir killings

Pakistan has summoned a senior Indian diplomat to protest recent deaths of five civilians who were allegedly killed in shelling by Indian forces along the de facto border in the disputed region of Kashmir.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry announced the matter on Sunday.

Pakistan's military earlier said Indian forces had shelled two areas of the Pakistani-administered Kashmir. The army also accused Indian forces of resorting to what it called unprovoked firing along the Line of Control (LoC), which divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan.

India has also blamed Pakistani forces for instigating fierce clashes in the disputed valley.

New Delhi said Pakistani shelling across the LoC killed an off-duty soldier and his wife on Saturday. India says the incident was a violation of a 2003 ceasefire agreement.

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

Thousands of people have been killed in the unrest in Kashmir over the past two decades.

SS