Indian border fire hits Pakistani army posts, kills soldier and 2 civilians

Indian artillery fire in the disputed Kashmir region hit Pakistani army posts and villages killing a soldier, a woman and a 16-year-old girl, Pakistani military and government officials said on Thursday.

In a statement, the military blamed Indian troops for initiating an "unprovoked cease-fire violation" in the villages of Kailer and Rakhchikri along the Line of Control (LoC) on Wednesday night.

It said Pakistani troops responded and there were reports of heavy losses to Indian troops. The military said a 10-year-old boy and a woman were also wounded because of the Indian firing.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday it summoned an Indian diplomat in Islamabad in protest and conveyed to New Delhi that such cease-fire violations were posing a threat to regional peace and security.

Pakistani and Indian troops often trade accusations of violating the cease-fire in Kashmir, which is divided between them and claimed by both in its entirety.

Pakistani district administration official Mohammad Yousaf said Indian artillery fire hit Pakistani posts and two villages as residents were breaking their dawn-to-dusk fast as part of the Holy Month of Ramadan. At least three homes located near the Line of Control were damaged, he said.

Sardar Masood Khan, president of the Pakistani Kashmir, condemned what he said was the latest cease-fire violation by India, alleging the Indian army targeted civilians.

Associated Press