India Accuses Pakistan of Killing Soldiers in Kashmir

India accused Pakistan of sending troops across the line dividing the disputed region of Kashmir on Tuesday, and said two of its soldiers were killed and one was wounded in a half-hour gunfight.

One military official told India’s Times Now news channel that the body of one of the slain soldiers was later found mutilated in a forested area of the Himalayan territory, Reuters reported.

A Pakistani army spokesman denied what it said were Indian allegations of “unprovoked firing” across the heavily militarized Line of Control (LoC) between the neighbors.

The incident came two days after a clash along the LoC in which Pakistan said one of its soldiers was killed after an Indian incursion. India denied its troops crossed the line.

Rajesh K. Kalia, spokesman for the Indian army’s Northern Command, said Tuesday’s “intrusion” was “a significant escalation … of ceasefire violations and infiltration attempts supported by Pakistan Army”.

“Pakistan army troops, having taken advantage of thick fog and mist in the forested area, were moving towards (their) own posts when an alert area domination patrol spotted and engaged the intruders,” he said.

“The firefight between Pakistan and own troops continued for approximately half an hour, after which the intruders retreated back towards their side of Line of Control. ”