Pak fires at 25 Indian border posts, as Nawaz Sharif sparks Kashmir controversy

Pakistani troops reportedly used small arms, rockets and mortars while targeting the Indian posts. One jawan of the Border Security force has been injured. There have been more than 200 such violations of the 2003 ceasefire this year.

In a strong reaction, Omar Abdullah said ceasefire violations cannot be tolerated and the government should explore other options. "Obviously this cannot be a one-sided affair. It cannot be a situation where we are the receiving end and no response is given," he said.

The Chief Minister added, "A mechanism had been worked out whereby the (military officers) of both countries would meet to discuss cooling of the Line of Control and the International Border. That has not happened so far. I believe that is an option that needs to be exercised, failing which obviously the government will have to look responding in kind."

Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, who will visit border areas tomorrow, said the attacks had increased due to rising attempts by terrorists to cross over to India. Weeks ago, India had fought off a massive infiltration attempt by about 30 heavily-armed Pakistanis, who India said were backed by the Pakistani army.

The latest border provocation by Pakistan came against the backdrop of a controversy over the country's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's hint at seeking US intervention to resolve the Kashmir dispute.

Mr Sharif was quoted in agency reports on Sunday as saying that that during his US visit in July 1999 amid the Kargil conflict, he had told then President Bill Clinton that "if he spends 10 per cent of the time he was spending on Middle East, the Kashmir issue between two countries would be resolved."

Hours later, a senior US official said, "On Kashmir, our policy has not changed an iota." (read)

Mr Sharif is in the US for a four-day tour, the first such bilateral visit in five years. US Secretary of State John Kerry, while welcoming the Pak PM, asserted that America's relationship with Pakistan "could not be more important." (read Kerry statement)

In India, the government and political parties condemned Mr Sharif's comment in one voice. Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid said, "Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India - there is no question of anybody interfering with this idea. The US knows this very well." (watch)

Senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi said "India is competent enough to resolve all these issues through bilateral talks and they have always been engaging Pakistan whenever Pakistan was ready."