Six killed in fighting in disputed Kashmir

At least six people, including five civilians, have been killed as India and Pakistan continue to exchange mortars and artillery fire across the ceasefire line dividing the disputed Himalayan province of Kashmir.

The Pakistani army said Indian soldiers killed five civilians, while India said at least one if its troops was killed and seven wounded in the battle. The Indian army also said that Pakistani shells fell in several villages in neighbouring Punjab state, but there were no casualties.

India and Pakistan currently have around one million soldiers massed along the Line of Control in Kashmir. Tensions between the two sides began to escalate following an attack on the Indian parliament in New Delhi on December 13, which left 14 people dead.

Another 34 people, including soldiers, their wives and children, were killed in another attack on an Indian army camp in Kashmir last week.