At least three villagers killed in Kashmir gunbattle

At least three Kashmiri villagers were killed today during a fierce exchange of gunfire between Indian and Pakistani soldiers along the ceasefire line dividing the two countries in Kashmir.

Another seven civilians were also wounded as the two sides traded mortar and gunfire in the Rajouri district.

More than 20,000 villagers have fled the border region in Kashmir since Indian and Pakistani forces began trading fire on Friday.

Yesterday, the battle spread to new areas along the 1972 Line of Control, which was established following the last war the two countries fought over mainly-Muslim Kashmir.

Elsewhere today, suspected Islamic militants blew up an Indian army vehicle in Bhaderwah, wounding four soldiers, two of them critically.