Tens of thousands flee along Kashmir border as India, Pakistan trade fire; 9 civilians killed

Relatives of Rajesh Kumar, who was killed in mortar shell firing allegedly from the Pakistan's side, weep inside their residential house at Masha da kothe village, in Arnia Sector near the India-Pakistan international border, about 47 kilometers (30 miles) from Jammu, India, Monday, Oct. 6, 2014. Tens of thousands of villagers were fleeing their homes in Kashmir on Monday, as Indian and Pakistani troops bombarded each another with gunfire and mortar shells over the border separating Pakistan from India's portion of the disputed region. At least nine civilians were killed. (AP Photo/Channi Anand) (The Associated Press)

Indian villagers sit near a blood stained spot after alleged mortar shell firing from the Pakistan side into a residential area at Masha da kothe village, in Arnia Sector near the India-Pakistan international border, about 47 kilometers (30 miles) from Jammu, India, Monday, Oct. 6, 2014. Tens of thousands of villagers were fleeing their homes in the disputed region of Kashmir on Monday, as Indian and Pakistani border troops bombarded one another with gunfire and mortar shelling over the border. Indian officials said the flare-up left five villagers dead, including one child, and 35 injured on the Indian side of the border. (AP Photo/Channi Anand) (The Associated Press)

Indian villagers gather near bed sheets stained with blood in alleged firing from the Pakistan’s side while the residents were asleep on roof of their house, at Masha da kothe village, in Arnia Sector near the India-Pakistan international border, about 47 kilometers (30 miles) from Jammu, India, Monday, Oct. 6, 2014. Tens of thousands of villagers were fleeing their homes in Kashmir on Monday, as Indian and Pakistani troops bombarded each another with gunfire and mortar shells over the border separating Pakistan from India's portion of the disputed region. (AP Photo/Channi Anand) (The Associated Press)

Officials say nine civilians were killed as Pakistani and Indian troops bombarded each another with gunfire and mortar shells across the border in the disputed region of Kashmir.

Indian civilian administrator Shantmanu says tens of thousands of villagers were fleeing homes Monday on the Indian side of what's widely recognized as an international border between the two countries.

Each side accused the other of firing first, saying its troops only retaliated. India and Pakistan have each controlled a part of Kashmir since 1947, though both claim the region in its entirety.

Shantmanu, who uses one name, said villagers were being evacuated to nearby government shelters. He said 35 people were injured on the Indian side, while the Pakistani army said three were injured on its side.