Pakistan says 7 killed in shelling by India, including 3 soldiers

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army today said that seven persons, including three of its soldiers, were killed in an exchange of fire with Indian troops on the LoC, taking the death toll in such incidents to 14 since last week.

The clash occurred a day after India had warned of retribution after losing three soldiers due to firing by Pakistani troops.

"Three Pakistani soldiers valiantly sacrificed their lives at the Line of Control while responding to Indian unprovoked firing," army said.

Those killed were identified as Captain Taimoor Ali Khan, Havaldar Mushtaq Hussain and Lance Naik Ghulam Hussain.

The statement also claimed that seven Indian troops were killed in retaliatory fire.

In an earlier statement, the army said four civilians were killed as Indian troops targeted a passenger bus near Dhudnial in Neelam valley.

However, media reports said that up to 10 civilians were killed today due to firing by Indian troops.

Meanwhile, Pakistan yesterday rejected as "false" and "baseless" the charges that the body of an Indian soldier was mutilated by Pakistani soldiers in a cross LoC-attack.

Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Nafees Zakaria in a series of tweets said the reports about the mutilation were aimed at maligning Pakistan.

"Pakistan strongly rejects the false & baseless Indian media reports regarding the alleged mutilation of an Indian solider on the LoC. These reports are a fabrication and a blatant attempt to malign Pakistan," he had said.

Zakaria said as a professional force, Pakistan Army isn't involved in any such "unethical & non-professional" activity.

He had said the Pakistan Army never supported any such action.

However, he said, Pakistan is fully prepared and ready to respond to any misadventure across the LoC, Working Boundary or the International Border.