'3 Indian soldiers killed' in Kashmir border clash

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Three Indian soldiers and a Pakistani civilian were killed on Friday during fresh round of clashes along the Line of Control (LoC) -- a de facto border that splits the Kashmir valley between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

According to a statement issued by the Pakistani army’s media wing -- the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) -- Indian border forces allegedly continued to targeted civilians who were preparing for Friday prayers in Gheekol and Mundal villages in the Lipa sector along the LoC that left a young boy dead and four others injured.

“Pakistan army effectively responded to the unprovoked firing killing three Indian soldiers and injuring many,” the ISPR said, adding that 3 Indian checkposts were also destroyed.

The Indian military or government has so far not commented on the latest incident.

The fresh round of border clashes that began on Sunday last have so far claimed nearly two dozen lives on both sides.

Tensions between the two nuclear neighbors have running high after 19 Indian soldiers were killed in Jammu Kashmir last month by militants India claimed had links with Pakistan. Islamabad denies the charge and itself accuses New Delhi of trying to divert the world’s attention from atrocities in the held valley.

Kashmir, a Muslim-majority Himalayan region, is held by India and Pakistan in parts and claimed by both in full. A small sliver of Kashmir is also held by China.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars -- in 1948, 1965 and 1971 -- since they were partitioned in 1947, two of which were fought over Kashmir. Kashmiri resistance groups in Jammu Kashmir have been fighting against Indian rule for independence, or for unification with neighboring Pakistan.

More than 70,000 people have reportedly been killed in the conflict since 1989. India maintains more than half a million troops in the disputed region.