In the first major violation of the bilateral ceasefire in the north Kashmir Uri sector, Pakistani troops fired at the Indian positions last night.

A defence spokesman said that "Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked heavy firing at our positions in the Uri sector of the Line of Control (LoC)".

"Pakistani troops used small and automatic weapons to fire at our positions. The firing continued for

nearly four hours during which one soldier was injured," Lt. Col J.S.Brar told rediff.com.

"Our troops also retaliated and returned the fire," Lt. Col. Brar said.

This is the first major violation of the nearly six-year-long bilateral ceasefire between the two countries which came into effect in November 2003.