Four Pakistani soldiers embraced martyrdom when Indian forces opened unprovoked fire across the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir Monday morning, while three Indian soldiers were killed in retaliatory fire.

“Four Pakistan Army soldiers embraced martyrdom along LoC in Jandrot, Kotli sector. Troops were busy in line communication maintenance, when they were fired upon and hit by heavy mortar round. Exchange of fire killed three Indian soldiers while few were injured,” according to a statement released by Inter-Services Public Relations.

On Monday, before the firing incident, Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat had said, “Pakistan Army has been continuously trying to help terrorists sneak into India along LoC in J&K. We are using our might to teach them a lesson,” he said. “If we are forced, then we may resort to ‘other action’ by stepping up military offensive,” he added, local media reported.

From the Kulbhushan Jadhav controversy to frequent incidents of violence along the LoC, the difficulties are increasing and the relations between both the neighbouring countries are increasingly getting tensed.