Cross-border shelling between Indian and Pakistani soldiers in Kashmir and along the international frontier continued on Monday but at a lower intensity than in recent days, police said.
”Overnight and early morning shelling was going on along the international borders in Kathua, Samba, Akhnoor and Nowshera sectors,” a police representative said. ”This time the intensity is low compared to the previous week.”
The representative said along the Line of Control — a military line separating Indian and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir — in RS Pora and Poonch sectors, ”small to medium range shelling is on.”
”Both the sides exchanged mortar shells and artillery fire,” he said.
From Kashmir’s winter capital of Jammu, Akhnoor sector falls 40 kilometres west, Poonch area about 240 kilometres west, Kathua district 85 kilometres south while Nowshera is situated north-west near the Line of Control.
Last week at least 14 people were killed during a fierce artillery duel in the Poonch sector. According to a tally of police figures, 28 Indians have been killed in the shelling, which was sparked by a massacre by Islamic militants in southern Kashmir on May 14 in which 35 people died.
More than a million soldiers on a war footing are posted on the borders following an attack on Indian parliament in December which New Delhi blames on Pakistani-backed militant groups. – Sapa-AFP