国际英语新闻:India, Pakistan troops target each other on Kashmir LoC

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The troops of India and Pakistan on Wednesday targeted each other's positions on the Line of Control (LoC) dividing Kashmir, officials said.

The two sides resorted to heavy firing in frontier Poonch district, about 185 km southwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Pakistani troops resorted to uNPRovoked mortar shelling and firing on some Indian forward posts in Krishana Ghati and Poonch sectors around 7:00 a.m. today. The Indian troops gave a befitting reply to firing by Pakistan and the exchange of fire lasted for about two hours," India's official broadcaster - All India Radio ( AIR) said.

Pakistan's official broadcaster - Radio Pakistan - said a civilian on their side was wounded in Indian firing.

A similar exchange between the two sides broke out Tuesday evening.

"Forward areas of Balakot sector witnessed uNPRovoked cease- fire violations by Pakistan military in the evening hours yesterday," said Lt Col Manish Mehta, an Indian military spokesman, who added that no casualty or damage was reported on Indian side.

However, Pakistan on Wednesday summoned the Indian envoy in Islamabad and lodged protest over the death of a 20-year-old Pakistani soldier in Tuesday's Indian firing.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said in a statement the government of Pakistan expressed its deep concern over the continuous uNPRovoked cease-fire violations by the Indian side at the LoC and targeting of the civilian areas.

It urged the Indian government to stop forthwith the cease-fire violations and observe the 2003 cease-fire arrangement for restoration of peace and tranquillity at the LoC and the working boundary.

The latest cross-border shelling took place just days after Pakistani and Indian border officials agreed to revive the cease- fire.

The LoC is a de facto border that divides Kashmir into India and Pakistan controlled parts, and is heavily guarded by military on both sides.

Kashmir is claimed by both India and Pakistan in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.