05 Oct 2017 | 02:42 AM UTC
India: LoC skirmishes leave two killed, three wounded on Oct. 4
Clashes along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir kill at least two Pakistani children, wound three Indian soldiers October 4
Event
Skirmishes between Indian and Pakistani soldiers left at least three Indian soldiers wounded along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, October 4. Indian military sources claim that the Pakistani forces fired small arms and mortars unprovoked; Pakistani military sources claimed that an alleged unprovoked Indian mortar attack killed two children in Rawalakot, and that intermittent firing is ongoing. Sustained geopolitical tensions and heightened security measures are expected in the area and further exchanges of fire are possible in the coming days.
Context
There has been a notable uptick in skirmishes between Indian and Pakistani troops along the International Border (IB) and the LoC since 2016. Apart from military casualties, these incidents claimed civilian lives on both sides and prompted residents to flee border areas. Both New Delhi and Islamabad accuse each other of unprovoked shootings and other violations of ceasefire agreements.
Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both countries in full. Since their independence from Britain in 1947, India and Pakistan have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir. The total death toll from the conflict is estimated to be over 47,000.
Advice
Some foreign governments advise against travel to parts of Jammu and Kashmir state, in particular the Indian-Pakistani border region, due to the high threat of terrorism and other violence.
