ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s military says Indian troops have fired across the Line of Control in the disputed Kashmir region, killing another soldier and bringing the death toll to six in less than 24 hours.
Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor in a tweet Friday said “another brave son of soil lost his life in the line of duty” in Buttal town.
Pakistan’s military and police said Thursday that Indian firing killed two civilians and three soldiers in Pakistan’s part of Kashmir, which is split between the nuclear-armed rivals and claimed by both in its entirety.
Tensions have increased between India and Pakistan since New Delhi downgraded the autonomy of the part of Kashmir it controls last week. India also deployed thousands of additional troops to the region and imposed an unprecedented lockdown now in place for a 12th day to try to prevent any outburst of violence after Friday prayers.
India’s top court on Friday is scheduled to hear petitions challenging the revoked status and the lockdown, which includes a near-constant curfew and a news blackout. The petitions were filed by an advocate and by the Kashmir Times editor, Anuradha Bhasin.
