India: Soldier killed in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir (CNN) -- An Indian army trooper was shot to death Monday on the border between the Indian- and Pakistani-administered parts of Kashmir, the Indian Defense spokesman said.

Lt. Col. Goswami refused to confirm if it was a violation of the bi-lateral cease-fire agreement between India and Pakistan for the border known as the Line of Control.

There was small arms fire and grenades launched from across the Line of Control in the Mendhar sector on Monday morning, Goswami said.

The Indian Army said last week that Pakistani troops fired in the Tangdhar sector of the Line of Control in northern Kashmir, which they called a clear cease-fire violation.

The foreign ministers of India and Pakistan are scheduled to meet in Islamabad this week to resume talks between the two neighbors.

Pakistan denied any weapons were fired from their side.

Kashmir has been the source of bitter dispute and two wars between India and Pakistan.

Both control parts of the region, which is predominantly Muslim. Kashmir has been in the throes of a bloody separatist campaign for the past 18 years.

While the authorities here say 43,000 persons have been killed in the violence, various rights groups and non-governmental organizations have put the figure at twice that number.

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