By Aamir Latif
KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - At least three Pakistani and five Indian soldiers were killed in renewed clashes, amid heightened tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan Army claimed.
“In order to divert attention from precarious situation in IOJ&K (Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir), Indian Army increases firing along the LoC. Three Pakistani soldiers embraced Shahadat (martyrdom),” twitted the Spokesperson of Pakistan Army Major Gen Asif Ghaoor.
In response, he claimed, five Indian soldiers were killed and many others were injured. Indian forces bunkers were also damaged, he added.
Indian Army, however, denied Pakistan’s claim. In a statement, Indian Army described Pakistani claims “fictitious”.
The fresh round of clashes coincided with summoning of a special UN Security Council session on Friday, to discuss the deteriorating situation in the Himalayan state of Jammu and Kashmir on Islamabad’s request.
The tensions between the two countries have flared up following the India move of scrapping the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, which is divided between the two neighbors in parts with both claiming it in full.
Kashmiri leaders and citizens fear this step is an attempt by the Indian government to change the demography of the Muslim-majority state.
In related developments, Pakistan downgraded diplomatic relations with India, suspended trade and expelled the Indian envoy.
Since they were partitioned in 1947, the two countries have fought three wars -- in 1948, 1965 and 1971 -- two of them over Kashmir, in addition to a three-week long Kargil skirmish in 1999.
According to several human rights organizations, thousands of people have reportedly been killed in the conflict in the region since 1989.