8 dead as India, Pakistan trade fire in Kashmir

Indian and Pakistani troops traded heavy gunfire and mortar rounds for a seventh day Sunday along the highly militarised line of control dividing the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir between the two archrivals. Indian police officer Danish Rana said six civilians have died in the Pakistani shelling over the last two days. At least 17 others were wounded. Pakistan's army said in a statement that two civilians had been killed and two others wounded in the fighting. Despite a 2003 ceasefire the two neighbors regularly trade fire, the latest coming as India celebrated Independence Day on Saturday. Pakistan observed it a day earlier. Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan but claimed in its entirety by both. The two countries have fought two of their three wars over their competing claims to Kashmir. The recent fighting comes even as the top security advisers of both countries are scheduled to meet in the Indian capital on Aug. 23. The two men are expected to talk about combatting terrorism in the region, according to AP.
-SRS