India, Pakistan clash on Kashmir border leaves 9 dead, 37 wounded SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- At least nine civilians were killed and 37 others wounded Monday on both sides of Kashmir border dividing India and Pakistan, officials said. The fresh clash between Indias border guards of Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers broke out early Monday along the international border (IB) in Kashmir at Arnia sector of R S Pora, around 45 km southwest of Jammu city, the winter capital of Indian- controlled Kashmir. Five civilians were killed and 34 others wounded today after Pakistani troops fired on Indian positions in Arnia sector, Shantamanu, a senior most civilian official in Indian-controlled Kashmir told Xinhua. The wounded civilians were admitted in Government Medical College (GMC) hospital in Jammu and condition of some of them is stated to be critical. Reports said the shelling of mortars and heavy fire has damaged many houses in the sector. Shantamanu, the divisional commissioner of Jammu province in the region said they were evacuating civilians in frontier area to safer locations. Our primary focus at this point of time is to shift civilians to safer places, far from the firing range and later on we can assess the damage, he said. Indias official broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) said it was the first time in past several days that Pakistan troops have targeted the densely populated Arnia town along the border. Indian officials said Pakistani troops violated the cease-fire agreement and resorted to unprovoked shelling, prompting Indias BSF to retaliate. According to Pakistans official broadcaster Radio Pakistan, four civilians were killed and three others wounded Monday on its side when Indian troops resorted to unprovoked firing in Sialkot. The broadcaster said Pakistani troops effectively retaliated to Indian firing. Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh asked Pakistan to stop cease- fire violations and understand the reality that times have changed in India. Both New Delhi and Islamabad blame each other of resorting to unprovoked firings. Mondays cease-fire violation was eleventh since the beginning of this month. The troops of India and Pakistan intermittently exchange fire on Line of Control (LoC) and IB, despite an agreement in 2003 to observe cease-fire. Though some violations have been reported on both sides, the cease-fire remains in effect. LoC is a de facto border that divides Kashmir into India and Pakistan controlled parts. The LoC on both sides is guarded by army, while as IB is guarded by BSF on Indian side and Pakistan Rangers from the other side. Last year deadly skirmishes took place between Indian and Pakistani troops posted on 720 km-long LoC and 198 km International Border in Kashmir. Both sides have suffered troop as well as civilian casualties during the stand-off. Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan is claimed by both in full. Since their Independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 10:14:35 +0000
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