Troops from Pakistan and India exchanged fire overnight across the Line of Control (LoC) in disputed Kashmir, officials confirmed Friday, as tensions escalate following Tuesday’s deadly attack on Indian tourists in the region.
The exchange comes after the United Nations urged both nuclear-armed nations to exercise “maximum restraint” in light of the recent bloodshed, which India has blamed on cross-border terrorism allegedly supported by Pakistan.
Syed Ashfaq Gilani, a senior government official in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, told AFP that there was “post-to-post firing” in Leepa Valley but emphasized that civilian areas remained unaffected and schools remained open.
India's army acknowledged the incident, stating that the firing was initiated by Pakistan and had been “effectively responded to.” Indian military sources said the exchange involved small arms, and no casualties were reported.
Pakistan has yet to officially comment on the incident, which remains unverified by independent sources. The LoC skirmish marks another flashpoint in the long-standing Kashmir dispute, with both countries frequently accusing each other of initiating ceasefire violations in the volatile region.
