Heavy cross-border exchange of fire between India and Pakistan across the disputed Kashmir region has resulted in multiple casualties.
There were contrasting reports from both sides on the number of casualties in the latest skirmish on Sunday that left soldiers and civilians dead on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC), the heavily militarized de facto border dividing Kashmir between the two nuclear-armed rivals.
An Indian army spokesman said two Indian soldiers and a civilian were killed in "unprovoked" fire by Pakistan in the Tangdhar region of the Kupwara district.
Several homes were damaged in the attack and three civilians were being treated in a hospital, Colonel Rajesh Kalia said.
Indian unprovoked CFVs in Jura, shahkot & Nousehri Sectors deliberately targeting civilians. Effectively responded. 9 Indian soldiers killed several injured. 2 Indian bunkers destroyed.
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) October 20, 2019
During exchange of fire 1 soldier & 3 civilians shaheed, 2 soldiers & 5 civilians injured.
Pakistan's army, meanwhile, claimed that India's attacks in Jura, Shahkot and Nowshera sectors was "unprovoked" and deliberately targeted civilians.
Nine Indian soldiers were killed, several others injured and two bunkers were destroyed in response to the attacks, Pakistan's military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor said on Twitter.
During the exchange of fire, one Pakistani soldier and five civilians were killed, and seven people wounded, he said.
"Indian guns silent as of now to undertake evacuation of their dead and injured after effective and befitting response from the Pakistan army," Ghafoor said.
Both sides accused each other of violating a 2003 ceasefire accord.