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Updated 31 Oct, 2016 02:36pm

Pakistan, Indian border forces exchange fire across LoC

Pakistani and Indian border forces exchanged fire across the Line of Control (LoC) on Monday, said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The ISPR statement said that an exchange of fire occurred in the Kel, Nakyal and Jandrut sectors.

"India yet again resorted to unprovoked firing on LoC in Kel, Nakyal and Jandrut sectors," said ISPR.

"Pakistani troops befittingly responding and targeting Indian posts," claimed the statement.

Cross-border firing becomes routine

Cross-border firing appears to have become a routine as tensions simmer between Pakistan and India following an alleged 'surgical strike', unrest in Kashmir and the Uri army base attack.

The Indian deputy high commissioner had been summoned to the Foreign Office three times in last two and half weeks.

Ties between the two countries have deterioated further as the Indian prime minister stepped up a drive to isolate Pakistan diplomatically after the Uri army base attack last month.

Hours after the attack occurred, Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh termed Pakistan a 'terrorist state' and accused Pakistan of involvement.

The Uri attack occurred days before Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was set to address the United Nations General Assembly regarding Indian human rights violations in held Kashmir.

Following the attack, India claimed it conducted a cross-border 'surgical strike' against 'launch pads of terror' in Azad Jammu and Kashmir — a claim Pakistan has strongly rejected.

Pakistan maintains that India is attempting to divert the world's attention away from atrocities committed by government forces in India-held Kashmir.

Pakistan and India recently locked horns over the Kashmir issue when Indian forces stepped up a crackdown against protesters after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed by government forces in July.

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