Kasmir crisis deteriorated again

Pakistani-Indian troops exchange fire in Kashmir

Pakistani and Indian troops on Saturday exchanged fire in the disputed Himalayan Kashmir region amid heightened bilateral tensions triggered by Mumbai terror attacks. The incident broke five months of relative peaceful along the heavily militarized border. The two militaries exchanged blame for the incident, with each accusing the other of ‘unprovoked’ firing across the de facto border dividing Kashmir between the rivals. The Indian army said one of its soldiers was injured in the firing, which a spokesman said lasted five hours, ending early Saturday morning.
Pakistan said it had lodged a ‘strong protest’ with Indian authorities over the ‘ceasefire abuse.’
Pakistan and India agreed in November 2003 to a ceasefire along the LoC before they started their slow-moving peace talks in January 2004.Since then there have been irregular clashes and both countries have blamed each other of violating the ceasefire. In 2007 India blamed Pakistani soldiers of crossing the ceasefire line known as the Line of Control and killing an Indian soldier — allegations Islamabad denied.
India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars over mainly Muslim Kashmir, held in part by each country but claimed in full by both.
An insurgency against New Delhi’s rule in Indian Kashmir has been under way since 1989 and left more than 47,000 people dead by official count. Islamabad refuses helping the Muslim rebels. more..........