Kashmir, Apr 28 (V7N)- Fresh exchanges of fire were reported between Indian and Pakistani troops along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir during the night, marking the fourth consecutive night of border tensions. No casualties have been reported so far.

According to a statement from the Indian Army, Pakistani forces initiated "unprovoked small arms fire" from posts opposite the Kupwara and Poonch districts during the intervening night of April 27-28. The Indian side responded "swiftly and effectively," the statement said. Notably, this is the first time the Indian Army has officially alleged a ceasefire violation by Pakistan in the Poonch sector during the recent spate of hostilities.

Meanwhile, China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reported that Indian troops opened fire first across the LoC, prompting Pakistani forces to retaliate. The Pakistan military has not officially commented on the incident.

The fresh border clash comes amid heightened security operations in Kashmir. Security forces have detained around 500 people for questioning and conducted searches across nearly 1,000 homes and forested areas. At least nine houses have been demolished, a local police official told Reuters on Monday.

Tensions have soared following a deadly attack on April 22 that left 26 people dead. Indian authorities have identified two of the three suspected militants involved as Pakistani nationals. Islamabad, however, has denied any involvement in the attack and has called for an impartial investigation.

The attack has sparked widespread outrage in India, with growing calls for strong action against Pakistan. India has long accused Pakistan of sponsoring terrorism in Kashmir, a disputed region over which the two nuclear-armed neighbors have fought three wars.

As both countries continue to claim Kashmir in full, the latest flare-up raises fresh concerns over regional stability.

END/MSS/AJ