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India and Pakistan Clash Over Border

by Gillian White

India and Pakistan are clashing over Kashmir again. In question this time are allegations that Pakistani troops attacked an Indian post along the disputed border in Kashmir late Monday, killing five and injuring one.

India has filed a complaint with the Pakistani government. Pakistan denies the attack, calling the accusations "baseless and unfounded." In a statement, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said, ‘‘Our military authorities have confirmed that there had been no exchange of fire that could have resulted in such an incident.’’

The clash threatens to further hamper peace talks between the two countries, which were looking more promising thanks to the efforts by new Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The newly minted Pakistani leader has recently attempted to nail down formal dates to resume peace between the two countries. Sharif is also scheduled to speak with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in September at the UN General Assembly in New York City.

India and Pakistan agreed to a cease fire along the "Line of Control" ten years ago in order to stop the incessant attacks over the disputed territory, which the countries have fought two wars over. Recently, interactions regarding the border have been fairly civil. The last border-related altercation occurred more than six months ago, when Pakistani troops allegedly attacked and killed two Indian soldiers, beheading one of them. Indian troops retaliated, killing three Pakistani soldiers.

In the wake of the most recent allegations, Prime Minister Singh told reporters, "“If Pakistan wants to have better relations with India, I think this is not the way.”