News / India

Cross-border shelling leaves seven people dead in Kashmir

Saturday, 08 July 2017 3:20 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 08 July 2017 3:31 PM ]

Kashmiri protestors (R) throw stones towards Indian government forces during clashes in Srinagar on July 8, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Seven people have been killed in the volatile region of Kashmir when India and Pakistan engaged in cross-border shelling.

Five people were killed on Pakistan's side of the disputed border and 10 were injured in cross-border shelling by Indian troops on Saturday, local police officials said.

The Islamabad government said it summoned India's Deputy High Commissioner J.P. Singh over what it called "unprovoked ceasefire violations."

Shelling by Pakistani forces claimed the lives of two civilians on India’s side of the frontier and wounded two others, the Indian army's defense spokesman said. He added that the army responded in kind to the Pakistani shelling.

Tensions are high in the Indian-administrated Kashmir region, where the Muslim-majority population stages regular protests against Indian rule and demands autonomy from New Delhi.

India regularly accuses Pakistan of arming and training militants and allowing them across the restive frontier in an attempt to launch attacks on Indian forces. Pakistan strongly denies the allegations.

Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan but claimed in full by both since the two partitioned and gained independence from Britain in 1947. The two countries have fought three wars over the disputed territory. Despite a ceasefire agreement that was reached in November 2003, sporadic skirmishes continue in Kashmir.

Kashmiri protesters gather in an alley during clashes with Indian government forces in Srinagar on July 8, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Saturday’s shelling comes as the volatile Himalayan region witnesses heightened tension on the death anniversary of pro-independence figure Burhan Wani, who was killed in a shootout with Indian troops last July.

Police in downtown Srinagar, the summer capital of the region, fired tear gas and clashed with stone-throwing protesters on Saturday.

India also cut off all internet services and blocked all roads leading to Tral, the hometown of Wani.

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