At least nine dead in Kashmir in exchange of fire between India and Pakistan

At least nine people were killed in Kashmir today as Indian and Pakistani soldiers exchanged fire again in the disputed area between the two nuclear powers.

The Indian Army said that Pakistani soldiers this morning targeted the Indian border crossing and civilian areas along the border in Kashmir, killing two soldiers and a civilian.

Three Indian civilians were injured by Pakistani fire, the Indian army said and assessed that it was an "unprovoked" violation of the 2003 ceasefire agreement between the two countries.

The Pakistani army then announced that due to "unprovoked ceasefire violations" by Indian soldiers, five civilians and one soldier were killed, and three civilians and two soldiers were wounded, near the Line of Control that divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan.

Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, and both states claim the entire region. That territorial dispute led to two wars between India and Pakistan after their independence in 1947.

The latest wave of conflict began after the Indian government on August 5 revoked Kashmir's autonomy, guaranteed by the Indian constitution, and then imposed tougher measures in the area, including a media shutdown and the deployment of thousands of troops.