Fears of new nuclear stand-off as seven Pakistani soldiers are killed by Indian shelling in disputed Kashmir region

INDIA and Pakistan edged closer to war after seven Pakistani troops were killed by shells fired across the border.

A fragile peace between the two nuclear-armed powers collapsed with the bloodshed in disputed Kashmir this morning.

Pakistan called the shelling "unprovoked" and confirmed the two armies have been exchanging fire today.

An army statement read: "Seven (Pakistani) soldiers embraced martyrdom at the Line of Control in a crossfire violation by Indian troops late last night.

"Pakistani troops while responding to Indian unprovoked firing targeted Indian posts effectively."

Cross-border shelling between the neighbours is not uncommon, with dozens of civilians and soldiers killed in recent years.

But today's violence is the most serious loss of life for Pakistan since a 2003 truce between the two regional powers

Both India and Pakistan claim the Himalayan region of Kashmir, which has been contested since Britain granted India independence in 1947.

The Asian country was later split along ethnic lines, with India, Pakistan and Bangladesh emerging as separate nations.

Violence between the two is all the more worrying given their nuclear arsenals.

Pakistan is believed to have a stockpile of more than 100 nukes, while India has a similar number.

In September, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif ominously warned: "We have not made an atomic device to display in a showcase.

"If a such a situation arises we will use it and eliminate India."

Muslim majority Pakistan and the mainly Hindu India have gone to war four times since independence, most recently in 1999.

The border between the two nations is closed every day in a bizarre ceremony involving soldiers dancing in ceremonial uniform.

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