Four killed in India-Pakistan clashes

Three civilians and a trooper have been killed while several were injured in cross-border firing between the forces of India and Pakistan, officials say.

The deaths occurred on the border along India's Jammu and Kashmir state as both sides accused the other of resorting to unprovoked firing and shelling.

The Pakistani army said two civilians, including a one-and-a half-year old child, were killed in firing by Indian forces. Seven more civilians were injured and taken to hospital.

In New Delhi, India's Border Security Force (BSF) said firing by Pakistani troops in the same region killed one of its soldiers and a six-year-old boy.

Nine more villagers, including a woman were wounded, it said. The cross-border firing continued overnight but had ceased by Monday morning, a BSF official said.

The border clashes come amid heightened tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours after militants killed 19 Indian army soldiers in Kashmir last month.

New Delhi blamed the attack on a jihadist group allegedly operating from Pakistan. Islamabad denied the charge.