Pakistan, India Continue Deadly Kashmir Border Firing

Indian and Pakistani troops have continued to fire bullets and mortar shells in the disputed Kashmir region after fighting that killed nine civilians.

Reports said troops exchanged fire for hours overnight, killing a Pakistani and wounding at least 22 other people on both sides.

The fighting on October 6 killed nine civilians, while thousands of villagers have fled their homes near the border for safety.

Both sides accused the other of provoking the skirmishes, which occurred across the de facto border in Kashmir.

The violence took place along parts of a 200-kilometer frontier between Pakistan's Punjab province and the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir.

It is one of the worst violations of a 2003 cease-fire between the neighbors.

India and Pakistan have fought two wars since 1947 over their competing claims to the Himalayan region.

Based on reporting by AP, dpa, and dawn.com