Refuting India's contention that its troops had crossed the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan on Tuesday denied claims that four of its soldiers were killed in the exchange of fire.
Military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas refuted the Indian Army's stand that Pakistani troops had crossed 200 metres into the Indian side of the LoC in Kupwara sector, sparking an exchange of fire on Monday. "No Pakistani soldier had crossed the LoC," he said.
Indian soldiers "wanted to establish a forward post in the area on the Pakistani side of the LoC", which was objected to by Pakistani soldiers, Abbas told PTI.
Following Pakistan's objection, "Indian troops opened indiscriminate and unprovoked fire" and this was "immediately responded to" by the Pakistani troops, he said.
The firing continued intermittently on Monday night and was still on till Tuesday afternoon, Abbas said.
Indian Army officials on Monday said a group of about 12 Pakistani soldiers crossed the LoC and asked Indian troops to vacate an observation post at Khayan area.
This sparked a verbal duel following which the Pakistani troops opened fire, killing a soldier of the Rajput Regiment, they said.
The Indian officials also said four Pakistani soldiers were killed in the clashes, but Abbas denied the report of causalities on the Pakistani side.
Abbas also said the Pakistan Army had "material evidence to suggest that the Indian soldiers had crossed the LoC and wanted to establish a post on the Pakistani side of the LoC."