Pakistan Army infantry. (Photo : Pakistan Army)
Men of the Indian Army and the Pakistan Army engaged in a four-hour long firefight in the early morning of Oct. 1 along the Line of Control -- another escalation triggered by the bloody attack by Muslim militants on the Indian Army base at Uri in Kashmir last Sept. 18.
While analysts on both sides say the armies are putting on a "show" to placate the increasingly warlike mood among their citizens, the risk grows these demonstrations of toughness might spin out of control.
Government leaders on both sides are openly talking about nuclear war and the media seems to be inflaming the martial mood, especially in India where "peaceniks" are being denounced as traitors.
Two days ago, India's movie industry body banned Pakistani artists and technicians from working in India. Pakistan retaliated on Oct. 1 by banning the broadcast of all Indian television channels in Pakistan.
Also in Pakistan, cinemas have stopped screening Bollywood films in solidarity with the armed forces. The funerals of two Pakistani soldiers killed in India's surgical strike two days ago were given wide media coverage.
Both sides exchanged mortar and machine gun fire at the Bhimber sector on the Pakistani side of the border at 2300 GMT. No casualties were reported.
"Pakistani troops befittingly responded to Indian unprovoked firing," said a statement from the Pakistani Army.
"There was small arms fire and mortar shells fire from across the border in Akhnoor sector which lasted for around two hours (4:00 am to 6:00 am)," said an official from the Jammu and Kashmir state government.
"No damage was caused. We are ready for any eventuality but it is peaceful in Jammu region."
Despite saying it has "no desire to aggravate the situation," India began evacuating villages within 10 kilometers of the Line of Control.
Tensions remain high between India and Pakistan, which each have over 100 nuclear warheads, following the killing of 18 Indian soldiers in the Uri attack.
