NEW DELHI, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Troops of India and Pakistan exchanged heavy fire and mortar shelling on Line of Control (LoC) dividing Kashmir, officials said on Tuesday.
The two sides on Monday targeted each other's positions and civilian areas in Akhnoor of Jammu district, the winter capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"Pakistani troops violated cease-fire and resorted to unprovoked firing and shelling, targeting forward posts and civilian areas between Khour and Pallanwalla sector in Akhnoor yesterday," an army spokesman said. "Our side also retaliated to the firing from Pakistan and gave them a befitting reply."
So far, there were no reports of any damage or loss of life caused to Indian side due to the firing.
According to officials, the firing first began at around 4:00 a.m. local time on Monday.
"Then firing again started at 1:30 p.m. (local time) and lasted until 3:00 p.m. (local time)," the spokesman said. "The third round started at 9:00 p.m. (local time) and continued until 10:00 p.m. in the night."
There has been a sharp increase in cease-fire violations along LoC and International Border (IB) in Kashmir during the past over three months. The heavy firing and shelling have triggered panic among the residents along entire LoC, many of whom have migrated to safer places. Recent skirmishes claimed lives of civilians and troopers on both sides of the divide.
According to official data, this year over 2,000 cease-fire violations were recorded in Kashmir so far.
New Delhi and Islamabad accuse each other of resorting to unprovoked firings and violating cease-fire agreements. And both sides maintain their troops gave befitting reply to the other side.
LoC is a de facto border that divides Kashmir into India and Pakistan controlled parts.
