JAMMU: India accused Pakistan of sending troops across the line dividing the disputed region of Kashmir on Tuesday, and said two of its soldiers were killed and one was wounded in a half-hour gunfight.

According to India’s Times Now news channel, one military official alleged that the body of one of the slain soldiers was later found mutilated in a forested area.

A Pakistani army spokesman denied what it said were Indian allegations of “unprovoked firing” across the heavily militarised Line of Control (LoC) between the two neighbours.

The incident came two days after a clash along the LoC in which Pakistan said one of its soldiers was killed after an Indian incursion. India denied its troops crossed the line.

Rajesh K. Kalia, spokesman for the Indian army’s Northern Command, said that Tuesday’s alleged “intrusion” was “a significant escalation ... of ceasefire violations and infiltration attempts supported by Pakistan Army”.

“Pakistan army troops, having taken advantage of thick fog and mist in the forested area, were moving towards (their) own posts when an alert area domination patrol spotted and engaged the intruders,” he alleged.

“The firefight between Pakistan and own troops continued for approximately half an hour, after which the intruders retreated back towards their side of Line of Control.”