ISLAMABAD, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's army said on Thursday morning that a Pakistani soldier and two civilians were killed in Indian forces' firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir region.
An army statement said Indian army "initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation" in Kailer and Rakhchikri sectors along the LoC.
"In Kailer sector, Indian troops targeted Pakistan army posts with automatics and heavy weapons. Pakistan army responded effectively," the statement from the army's media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations said.
"Reports of heavy losses to Indian troops in men and material," said the statement, adding that during exchange of intense fire, a Pakistani soldier was killed.
The statement said Indian army troops "deliberately targeted civilian population" in Rakhchikri sector and a 16-year-old girl and a 52-year-old woman were killed while a 10-year-old boy and 55-year-old woman got injured.
The Foreign Ministry of Pakistan said on Wednesday that a senior Indian diplomat was summoned to register Pakistan's strong protest over the "ceasefire violations" by the Indian forces along the LoC on Tuesday, which resulted in serious injuries to innocent civilians.
The Indian side was called upon to respect the 2003 ceasefire understanding, investigate this and other such incidents of deliberate ceasefire violations and maintain peace along the LoC and the working boundary, the statement said.
Pakistan and India had declared a ceasefire along the LoC, the de facto border between both countries in the disputed Kashmir region. However, both sides have routinely exchanged fire and accused each other of ceasefire violations.
Tension has been heightened after India lifted the special status for the Indian-controlled Kashmir in August last year. Pakistan downgraded its diplomatic relations, suspended trade relations and train service with India in response. Enditem
