Delhi, Islamabad agree to reduce tensions

Pakistan and India have agreed to reduce tensions after their National Security Advisors spoke over phone, top Pakistani diplomat Sartaj Aziz said yesterday about the first such contact after the Uri attack and India's retaliatory surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the LoC.

Aziz said a contact was established between India's NSA Ajit Doval and his Pakistani counterpart Nasir Janjua after recent tension between the two countries on the Line of Control (LoC).

"Pakistan wants to reduce tensions on LoC and focus on Kashmir," Geo News quoted him as saying. He said that India wants to divert the world's attention from Kashmir by escalating tensions.

Talking about Sharif's recent US visit, Aziz said the Prime Minister had explained to the world leaders that incidents of border tensions would continue between both countries without the resolution of Kashmir dispute.

Meanwhile, the BSF yesterday opened fire after a suspected infiltration at Chakri post of Gurdaspur sector of Punjab. Inspector General of the BSF, Anil Paliwal confirmed this to ANI.

The incidents come hours after the headquarters of the 46 Rashtriya Rifles was attacked by terrorists late on Sunday night in Baramulla sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

However, the BSF confirmed that there was no retaliation of fire from the other side, adding that it was not across the international border. A search operation is being conducted in Gurdaspur after some suspected persons were spotted there.

Pakistan's military said yesterday Pakistani and Indian troops exchanged fresh fire across their de facto border in Kashmir, following an overnight militant raid on an Indian army camp in which one trooper was killed.

No casualties were reported in the latest skirmish.

"Indian troops yet again resorted to unprovoked firing after midnight at the Line of Control (LoC) in Iftikharabad sector and Pakistani troops befittingly responded," Pakistan's military said in a statement yesterday, adding the exchange ended in the morning.

It said troops also responded to unprovoked Indian firing in Nezapir and Kailer sectors, reports AFP.

Meanwhile, Russia yesterday said it "welcomes" the surgical strike by India as every country has a right to defend itself.

Russia's ambassador to New Delhi Alexander M Kadakin also said his country had always been with India in fighting cross-border terrorism.

Russia had earlier asked lslamabad to take "effective" steps to stop the activities of terrorist groups on its territory.

"Greatest human rights violations take place when terrorists attack military installations and attack peaceful civilians in India. We welcome the surgical strike. Every country has right to defend itself," Russian embassy quoted Kadakin as having told a news channel.

He also assured India that it does not need to worry about Russia-Pakistan joint military exercise, saying it did not take place in "Pakistan-occupied Kashmir".

Tensions have been high in the region since the killing of a young Kashmiri separatist in July, which was followed by weeks of imposed curfew and deadly protests in the Indian-controlled portion.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars since they gained independence from Britain seven decades ago, two of them over Kashmir. Both claim the region in full.

A number of armed separatist groups in the Indian-controlled part of the picturesque territory have for decades been fighting to break free from New Delhi.