Pakistani national dies in Indian firing

A Pakistani civilian was killed in Indian firing early Wednesday as there is no let up in exchange of firing between the forces of the two countries in the disputed Kashmir region, reports said. Express News reported that the man was killed and a child was injured in "unprovoked firing" by the Indian Army in Battal Sector across the Line of Control (LoC), which divides the two countries in Kashmir. The latest incident occurs when Pakistan is celebrating its 67th Independence Day. State radio reported that the Indian troops resorted to unprovoked firing and shelling at the LoC in Jandrot and Chirikot sectors late Tuesday night. According to military sources, exchange of firing which started around 23:30 midnight continued till 3:00 early in the morning on Wednesday, Radio Pakistan reported. Indian troops also fired a mortar shell at civilian population in Nikial sector Wednesday morning. No damage has been reported so far. Pakistani troops responded effectively to the Indian unprovoked firing and shelling, the officials said. Tensions have flared in Kashmir since India last week accused the Pakistani army on the ambush and killing of five Indian soldiers in the Poonch sector. Pakistan rejected the claim as baseless. This incident sparked a series of cross-border skirmishes which the rival neighbors blamed on each other. Pakistan accused India of killing a civilian during firing on Monday and summoned its envoy in Islamabad to register a protest. Despite ongoing cross-border incidents, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called for a "new beginning" in relations with India amid high tension over the disputed region of Kashmir.