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Indian troops shot dead near Kashmir's Line of Control | Indian troops shot dead near Kashmir's Line of Control |
(35 minutes later) | |
Two Indian soldiers have been shot dead in the disputed Kashmir region between India and Pakistan, officials say. | Two Indian soldiers have been shot dead in the disputed Kashmir region between India and Pakistan, officials say. |
The Indian army said a patrol was attacked by Pakistani soldiers in "a grave provocation" near the so-called Line of Control. | |
Pakistan denied the accusation. The deaths came two days after a Pakistani soldier was killed near the LoC. | Pakistan denied the accusation. The deaths came two days after a Pakistani soldier was killed near the LoC. |
Kashmir is claimed by both nations in its entirety and has been a flashpoint between them for more than 60 years. | Kashmir is claimed by both nations in its entirety and has been a flashpoint between them for more than 60 years. |
Tuesday's shootings took place near Mendhar, 220 km (140 miles) north of the Indian city of Jammu, Indian officials said. | Tuesday's shootings took place near Mendhar, 220 km (140 miles) north of the Indian city of Jammu, Indian officials said. |
Thick fog | |
The Indian army said in a statement that a group of regular Pakistani soldiers crossed the LoC, "having taken advantage of thick fog and mist in the forested area". | |
The soldiers "were moving towards [their] own posts when an alert area domination patrol spotted and engaged the intruders", it said. | |
A firefight broke out between Pakistan and Indian troops, lasting about half an hour before "the intruders retreated back towards their side" of the LoC, the Indian statement said. | |
The dead soldiers were named as Lance Naik Hemraj and Lance Naik Sudhakar Singh. | |
"This is yet another grave provocation by [the Pakistan army] which is being taken up sternly through official channels," the statement went on to say. | |
But a Pakistan military spokesman in Islamabad denied what he described as an "Indian allegation of unprovoked firing". | But a Pakistan military spokesman in Islamabad denied what he described as an "Indian allegation of unprovoked firing". |
The clashes are similar to the one of two days ago in which a Pakistani soldier was killed. Pakistan has alleged that Indian soldiers crossed the LoC, a charge denied by the Indian army. | The clashes are similar to the one of two days ago in which a Pakistani soldier was killed. Pakistan has alleged that Indian soldiers crossed the LoC, a charge denied by the Indian army. |
Exchanges in the disputed area are not uncommon but rarely result in fatalities. | Exchanges in the disputed area are not uncommon but rarely result in fatalities. |
There has been a ceasefire in Kashmir since late 2003. | There has been a ceasefire in Kashmir since late 2003. |
India suspended a peace process with Pakistan following attacks by Pakistan-based militants in Mumbai in 2008. Negotiations resumed in February last year. | India suspended a peace process with Pakistan following attacks by Pakistan-based militants in Mumbai in 2008. Negotiations resumed in February last year. |
Last month, the nations signed an agreement to ease visa restrictions on travel for some citizens. | Last month, the nations signed an agreement to ease visa restrictions on travel for some citizens. |