Pakistan accuses India of attack on border posts.

Pakistan accuses India of attack on border posts.

 

Pakistan blames Indian forces for the attack Sunday on the
 borders of Pakistan and India. (File Photo: AFP)

Islamabad | AFP | 13 Aug 2013 :: Pakistan Sunday accused Indian forces of firing on its border posts close to eastern city of Sialkot, Punjab province, sparking an “intermittent exchange of fire” between the two sides.

The fighting is the latest in a spate of recent cross-border skirmishes between the two nuclear-armed neighbors who have fought three wars since independence from the British rule in 1947, two over the Muslim-majority region of Kashmir.

Tensions have recently flared up in the heavily militarized Kashmir valley with both accusing each other of cross-border firings but Sunday’s incident took place near the border in neighboring Punjab province. 

“Indian Border Security Forces resorted to unprovoked firing on Pakistani Rangers posts near Pukhlian, Head Marala area, in Sialkot sector,” a senior military official, told AFP.

“Intermittent exchange of fire continues. No loss reported so far,” the official added on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to talk to media.

Indian Defense Minister A. K. Antony on Thursday hinted at stronger military action along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir after Delhi accused Pakistan’s army of involvement in a deadly overnight ambush on Monday that killed five Indian soldiers.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif tried to ease tensions with India by urging both sides to work swiftly to shore up a 10-year ceasefire threatened by the recent attacks.(Courtesy:Al Arabia)

India says five soldiers killed in attack on border with Pakistan.

India says five soldiers killed in attack on border with Pakistan.

Indian Border Security Force soldiers patrol along the
 India-Pakistan border fence about 27 KM from Wagah (File photo: AFP)

Reuters | 06 Aug 2013 :: Five Indian soldiers were killed in an attack on their post along the disputed border with Pakistan in Kashmir, a senior Indian official said on Tuesday,just as the two countries were moving towards resuming stalled peace talks.

It was not who clear who carried out the attack in the Poonch sector and a Pakistani security official denied involvement.

The two armies, which are locked in face-to-face confrontation along the heavily militarised border, clashed in Poonch in January after one Indian soldier was killed and decapitated. Facing public outrage over the attack, India called off planned peace talks with Pakistan.

"Was briefed early this morning about news that five of our soldiers had been killed on the LOC. My heartfelt condolences to their next of kin," Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in a Tweet, referring to the Line of Control dividing the two countries in the Himalayan region.

The killings caused an uproar in the Indian parliament as lawmakers demanded the government explain what happened. Defence Minister A.K. Antony would make a statement in parliament later in the day, officials said.

Indian officials said a border post in Chakanda Bagh of Poonch district had been attacked but gave no details.

Late last month, Pakistan's new government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif proposed dates for talks and New Delhi had been preparing a response.

"This is an extremely unfortunate incident. If Pakistan wants to have better relations with India, this is not the way," Indian Junior Home Minister R.P.N. Singh said outside parliament in New Delhi.

A Pakistani security official denied there had been any exchange of fire on the border. "There has been no incident whatsoever," a security official said on condition of anonymity.(Courtesy:Al Arabia)