Pakistani man killed in Kashmir

An elderly Pakistani man has been killed by Indian troops after a fresh exchange of fire between Pakistan and India along the de facto border in Kashmir region, Pakistani officials say.
 
Abdul Majeed Mughal, a senior Pakistani government official tasked to monitor cross-border fire in the region, said that the 75-year-old man was killed on Tuesday by “unprovoked” fire from Indian forces outside his home in the Chari Kot border village.

“A 75-year old man was killed due to Indian firing in Chari Kot,” Mughal said.

Pakistani officials also confirmed that Pakistani troops returned fire.

This month Kashmir has witnessed some of the worst frontier shelling in years, leaving at least 20 civilians dead, and forcing thousands to flee their homes.

Islamabad and New Delhi have fought two wars over Kashmir since their independence from British colonial rule in 1947. The archrivals lay claim to the whole region but each only controls its own section.

India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire along the Line of Control in 2003, and a year later launched talks aimed at brokering a regional peace.

The process was, however, suspended after over 160 people lost their lives in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based militants.

YH/NN/HRB