At least 8 killed as India, Pakistan border troops exchange fire

PanARMENIAN.Net - Clashes erupted between Indian and Pakistani security forces on Friday, August 28, killing at least eight civilians and wounding scores of others on both sides of the contested border, according to officials in both countries, the Washington Post reports.

The exchange of fire comes as Indian and Pakistan leaders continue to bicker over the prospect of face-to-face political talks.

Indian and Pakistani security forces appear to be trading small-arms, artillery and mortar fire. The fighting, which is believed to be ongoing, has damaged several villages on both sides of the border, officials said, according to the Washington Post. The violence coincided with the kickoff of India’s golden jubilee celebration marking the 1965 war between India and Pakistan, one of three major conflicts since 1947 between the neighbors, who now have nuclear arms. On Friday, India and Pakistan accused each other starting the latest confrontation.

According to Pakistan’s military, the fighting started with the “unprovoked Indian shelling” of several Pakistani villages near Sialkot in eastern Punjab province. The shelling killed six Pakistanis and wounded 46 others, including 22 women, Pakistani officials said.

India’s military, however, said the fighting started when Pakistani forces began firing into India’s disputed Kashmir region. Two Indian civilians have been killed and 16 others have been wounded, an Indian official says. The Pakistani assault involved small arms and mortars, prompting a response from Indian border guards, the official said.