Pakistan accuses India of ceasefire violation in Kashmir

Islamabad, Jul 10 (UNI) Pakistan today accused Indian troops of violating the five-year-old ceasefire in the Himalayan region of Kashmir.

''Indian troops fired mortars and small arms on a Pakistani forward post in Battal area of Rawalakot sector at 1400 hrs (Pakistan time),'' Pakistani military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said here.

There were no immediate reports of casualties in the fire, which was the first incident since November 2003 when the two countries had agreed to hold ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) as part of efforts to build confidence between them, he said.

The two countries, which achieved independence from British rule in 1947, fought two of their three wars on the Kashmir issue, which has been at the heart of tensions between them.

However, Islamabad and New Delhi resumed their long stalled but slow moving peace process in January 2004 to resolve all outstanding issues.

The fifth round of talks would start with visit of Pakistani Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir to New Delhi later this month.

Gen Abbas said Pakistani troops returned the fire and lodged protest with Indian military authorities over the unprovoked firing.

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