MIRPUR (AJK) -  Pakistani and Indian troops yesterday exchanged fresh fire across Line of Control. However, no casualties were reported in the latest firefight that came five days after India claimed to have carried out ‘surgical strikes’ – a claim Pakistan rubbished flatly.

"Indian troops yet again resorted to unprovoked firing after midnight at the Line of Control (LoC) in Iftikharabad sector and Pakistani troops befittingly responded,” ISPR said, adding the exchange ended in the morning. It said troops also responded to unprovoked Indian firing in Nezapir and Kailer sectors.

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

On September 18, 19 Indian soldiers were killed in an attack on the Uri army base, which India blamed on Pakistan-backed militants.

Last week India claimed to have launched "surgical strikes" across the LoC. Pakistan rejected the claim saying that troops had not crossed the line and two of its soldiers had been killed in small arms fire.

According to locals and military sources, Indian troops violated ceasefire at Iftikharabad in Bhimbher district and Neza Pir in Haveili district earlier on Monday while they carried unprovoked firing in Kailer sector in the afternoon.

Pakistani troops responded befittingly and silenced the guns of the enemy, the sources said quoting the authentic reports from the firing-hit areas. Natir Mandela and Madarpur villages of Battal sector were targeted by Indian firing.

India has violated the ceasefire thrice in three days, the Foreign Office said in a statement.