Pakistan army claims Indian firing on LoC killed captain

The Pakistan army on Wednesday claimed "unprovoked" Indian firing across the Line of Control in Kashmir had killed one of its officers and injured a soldier.

A senior military official said the incident took place in Shakma sector near Skardu on the LoC. "A Pakistan army officer, Captain Sarfraz, (was killed) due to unprovoked Indian firing. A solider was seriously injured due to the shelling," the officer said on condition of anonymity.

He claimed Indian troops started firing at 11.15 pm on Tuesday and the Pakistani side responded "effectively". The exchange continued until 2.15 am on Wednesday morning, he said.

The two armies have blamed each other of several violations of a 2003 ceasefire on the LoC. The firing began after five Indian soldiers were killed in an attack by Pakistani troops along the LoC about two weeks ago.

The civilian leadership in Islamabad is trying to create peace and the foreign office spokesman said last week that all diplomatic and military channels between the two sides were open.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in his first televised speech on Monday, said he wants to work with India for regional peace and prosperity. Sharif has repeatedly said he wants to meet his Indian counterpart on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in September.