Fierce clashes between Indian and Pakistani troops along the volatile Kashmir border stopped today and the body of an Indian soldier killed in the violence was recovered.

The firing began late yesterday afternoon after 12 Pakistani soldiers crossed the Line of Control (LoC) dividing the disputed region and shot dead an Indian soldier in the Nowgam sector.

Indian army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel AK Mathur says ‘The firing stopped this morning after lasting for nearly 16 hours. A flag meeting between Indian and Pakistani troops is being held at the local level.’

Indian media reported that four Pakistani soldiers were also killed in retaliatory firing in the area 100 kilometres north of state capital Srinagar but officials did not confirm the deaths.

Pakistani soldiers had entered India-administered Kashmir to protest the construction of an Indian bunker near the LoC.

Meanwhile, Indian officials alleged that this was the worst violation of the ceasefire with Pakistan announced in November 2003.

MRN-DPA