Four Civilians Killed In Latest Kashmir Shelling

India and Pakistan traded heavy gunfire and mortar fire in the disputed Kashmir region on August 15, killing at least four civilians and injuring 23 others.

Three civilians were killed in the Balakote sector of the divided region when a car they were traveling in was hit by a mortar shell fired by Pakistani soldiers, Indian police said.

At least 20 civilians were wounded in the fighting in different places in the region.

Pakistani police also said a civilian was killed and three others wounded by shelling in the village of Dabsi Narr.

The two countries blamed each other for the incidents. They have been exchanging heavy fire across the Line of Control almost daily for a week.

The two nuclear-armed South Asian rivals have a history of uneasy relations. They fought two of their three wars over Kashmir since gaining independence from Britain in 1947.

Kashmir -- a divided region today -- is claimed by both countries.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP