Pakistani artillery blew up a television tower and suspected Islamic separatists killed four civilians in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir early today, despite assurances that the tensions are easing.

Islamic gunmen stormed a police base in Kashmir, killing two officers, and cross-border shelling killed at least 28 other people today amid international efforts to avert a full-fledged war between nuclear powers India and Pakistan.

India’s prime minister held talks with senior Cabinet ministers and military officials in disputed Kashmir today, as shelling between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan pounded villages on both sides of the border.

Indian soldiers have killed seven suspected Islamic militants who allegedly attempted to cross the Pakistani border into Indian-ruled Kashmir.