Asia

2 killed as India, Pakistan troops trade fire in Kashmir

Associated Press
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A young Kashmiri protester throws stones at Indian government forces in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Friday, May 12, 2017. Government forces used tear gas, pellets and rubber bullets to disperse dozens of rock-throwing protesters demonstrating against Indian rule on Friday. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan) (The Associated Press)

Smoke rises from a mortar shell fired reportedly from the Pakistan side of the border in a civilian area at Bhawani village at Nowshera sector, along the highly militarized Line of Control that divides the region between India and Pakistan, Saturday, May.13,2017. Indian and Pakistani troops traded fire in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir on Saturday, killing two civilians and wounding six others, officials said. (AP Photo/Channi Anand) (The Associated Press)

Indians evacuated from their village following cross-border shelling, arrive at a relief camp set up at a government school at Nowshera sector, along the highly militarized Line of Control that divides the region between India and Pakistan, Saturday, May 13, 2017. Indian and Pakistani troops traded fire in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir on Saturday, killing two civilians and wounding six others, officials said. (AP Photo/Channi Anand) (The Associated Press)

The Indian army says two civilians have been killed and three wounded in Indian-controlled Kashmir as Indian and Pakistani troops traded fire in the disputed Himalayan region.

Indian army spokesman Lt. Col. Manish Mehta says Pakistani soldiers started shelling and firing at Indian military posts on Saturday morning in the Nowshera sector along the highly militarized Line of Control that divides the region between India and Pakistan.

Mehta says Indian troops returned fire and the gunbattle was still underway Saturday afternoon. There is no immediate comment from Pakistan.

According to civilian administrator Shahid Iqbal, the dead include a 13-year-old girl and a 51-year-old man.

Iqbal says that more than 1,500 people in about 15 villages are trapped in their homes, which are in the direct line of fire.