Chris Bradford
PAKISTANI and Indian troops have clashed in the disputed territory of Kashmir, leaving at least 12 people dead and terrified civilians fleeing for their lives.
Tensions have been rising between the South Asian nuclear neighbours ever since they gained independence from Britain in 1947, making the Himalayan region one of the world’s flashpoints.
A child injured in a mortal shell that was allegedly fired by the Indian army across the Line of Control in KashmirCredit: EPA
Pakistani military and government officials have accused India of launching the assault after allegedly firing rockets and mortal shells yesterday.
It’s reported that a Pakistani soldier, five civilians were killed and at least 27 were injured.
The fatalities were some of the highest reported in years.
Sardar Masood Khan, the leader of the Pakistani-administered Kashmir, admitted he feared a wider conflict.
“If such Indian hostilities are not stopped, then it will also be difficult to stop a war between Pakistan and India,” he said.
Pakistan’s military described the attack as the latest unprovoked cease-fire violation by India and said Pakistani troops responded by targeting Indian posts.
“People are running for safety in panic and India is deliberately targeting the civilian population,” Raja Shahid Mahmood, a government official, told the Associated Press.
Kashmir is a highly contested region in the Himalayas with both Pakistan and India claiming its entiretyCredit: EPA
The shelling left civilians fleeing for their livesCredit: Reuters
A resident holds the remains of a mortal shell that was allegedly fired across the Line of Control, the de-facto border between Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Indian-administered KashmirCredit: EPASeveral homes have also been damaged.
“Villagers were hiding in the community bunkers as the exchange of fire intensifed,” he said.
In Srinagar, the capital of India-controlled Kashmir, three Indian soldiers were killed and three others were wounded.
Cops said that three Indian civilians, including a woman, were killed by Pakistani shelling.
Both nuclear powers have blamed each other for initiating the recent assault.
Pakistan’s military claimed India launched the assault after four Indian soldiers died fighting Kashmiri rebels in the Indian-controlled Kapwara district.
“Pakistan stands committed to defend the motherland and our Kashmiri brethren, even at the cost of blood and lives,” they said.
Rebels have been fighting against Indian rule since 1989 as most Muslim Kashmiris believe that the territory should be united under Pakistani rule or be an independent country in its own right.
India and Pakistan have fought three wars – in 1947, 1965 and 1971. Two of which were over Kashmir.
The Line of Control splits Kashmir into Indian and Pakistan-administered territories, and a ceasefire between the two nations has been in place since 2003.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry claims that the ceasefire has been violated by India at least 2,729 times this year, resulting in 21 civilian deaths, and serious injuries to 206 others, Al Jazeera reports.ince they gained independence from Britain in 1947, making the Himalayan region one of the world’s flashpoints.
Homes were left ruined following the shelling between the two nuclear powersCredit: AFP or licensors
A child injured in a mortal shell that was allegedly fired by the Indian army across the Line of Control in KashmirCredit: EPA
Pakistan and India have fought two of their three wars over Kashmir, which is split between them and is claimed by both in its entirety.
Pakistani military and government officials have accused India of launching the assault after allegedly firing rockets and mortal shells yesterday.
It’s reported that a Pakistani soldier, five civilians were killed and at least 27 were injured.
The fatalities were some of the highest reported in years.
Sardar Masood Khan, the leader of the Pakistani-administered Kashmir, admitted he feared a wider conflict.
“If such Indian hostilities are not stopped, then it will also be difficult to stop a war between Pakistan and India,” he said.
Pakistan’s military described the attack as the latest unprovoked cease-fire violation by India and said Pakistani troops responded by targeting Indian posts.
“People are running for safety in panic and India is deliberately targeting the civilian population,” Raja Shahid Mahmood, a government official, told the Associated Press.
Kashmir is a highly contested region in the Himalayas with both Pakistan and India claiming its entiretyCredit: EPA
The shelling left civilians fleeing for their livesCredit: Reuters
A resident holds the remains of a mortal shell that was allegedly fired across the Line of Control, the de-facto border between Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Indian-administered KashmirCredit: EPA
Several homes have also been damaged.
“Villagers were hiding in the community bunkers as the exchange of fire intensifed,” he said.
In Srinagar, the capital of India-controlled Kashmir, three Indian soldiers were killed and three others were wounded.
Cops said that three Indian civilians, including a woman, were killed by Pakistani shelling.
Both nuclear powers have blamed each other for initiating the recent assault.
Pakistan’s military claimed India launched the assault after four Indian soldiers died fighting Kashmiri rebels in the Indian-controlled Kapwara district.
“Pakistan stands committed to defend the motherland and our Kashmiri brethren, even at the cost of blood and lives,” they said.
Rebels have been fighting against Indian rule since 1989 as most Muslim Kashmiris believe that the territory should be united under Pakistani rule or be an independent country in its own right.
India and Pakistan have fought three wars – in 1947, 1965 and 1971. Two of which were over Kashmir.
The Line of Control splits Kashmir into Indian and Pakistan-administered territories, and a ceasefire between the two nations has been in place since 2003.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry claims that the ceasefire has been violated by India at least 2,729 times this year, resulting in 21 civilian deaths, and serious injuries to 206 others, Al Jazeera reports.
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