The Pakistan Army has, for the first time, admitted the deaths of its soldiers at the hands of the Indian Army as both combatants continue to rake each other's positions along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir with artillery, mortar and small arms fire.
It said seven of its soldiers were killed in a barrage on Nov. 14 that pummeled defensive positions at the Bhimber sector along the LoC. The Pakistan Army said the martyrdom of its men was the result of "unprovoked firing."
It announced it "befittingly responded" to the Indian fire by returning fire that effectively targeted Indian posts across the LoC. The Indian Army has neither acknowledged Pakistan Army shelling across Bhimber nor has revealed any casualties.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of the seven men in the "latest violation of Line of Control (LoC) by the Indian force."
Sharif said "it is extremely unfortunate that Indian forces have continuously violated ceasefire agreement at the LoC in the recent days. We are fully capable of defending our soil against any aggression."
The Prime Minister also claimed the Indian Army is escalating tension on the LoC to "uselessly divert" the world's attention from the "grave human rights situation" in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Nafees Zakaria, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, condemned the Indian Army bombardment.
"We strongly condemn continuous unprovoked #CFVbyIndia @Bhimber Sec, resulting in martyrdom of 7 Pakistani soldiers," he tweeted.
The foreign ministry summoned Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale over the deaths of the seven Pakistan Army soldiers.
Pakistani State Minister for Information Maryam Aurangzeb said they are keeping an eye on the situation.
"We will give a befitting response to Indian atrocities. If India crosses its boundaries they will be at loss."
Pakistan also said India's Border Security Force (BSF) unleashed a mortar barrage that killed three Pakistani civilians in Mandhol on Nov. 8.
It condemned the unprovoked firing at the LoC, among whose victims were a mother and her daughter. The Pakistan Army will remain vigilant against Indian aggression.