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Pakistan, Indian Army Officials Discuss Kashmir Border Clashes


 FILE - Indian villagers look at one of the houses damaged in firing by Pakistani troops at Village Nanga, in the Ramgarh sector of Jammu and Kashmir state, India, Oct. 9, 2014.
FILE - Indian villagers look at one of the houses damaged in firing by Pakistani troops at Village Nanga, in the Ramgarh sector of Jammu and Kashmir state, India, Oct. 9, 2014.

Senior military officials from Pakistan and India have spoken by telephone about recent cross-border clashes in the Himalayan region of Kashmir.

Pakistan's military said it has voiced concern over Indian border guards "consistent unprovoked firing on the civilian population."

Pakistan has said that both countries share responsibility to defuse the situation, while a spokesman for India's foreign ministry said the decision to de-escalate falls entirely on Pakistan.

Syed Akbaruddin, a spokesperson for the Indian External Affairs Ministry, said India would not accept violence on the border or the Line of Control (LOC), or continued terrorism against its citizens.

"It is up to Pakistan to de-escalate the situation, and we feel that Pakistan must take immediate steps to restore peace and tranquility along the international border and the LOC in J and K (Jammu and Kashmir), and end its sponsorship of terrorism against us," Akbaruddin said.

Each country blames the other for starting the clashes.

The latest flare-up of violence left 20 dead and forced thousands to flee for safety. It came just weeks after India abruptly canceled talks with Pakistan after its ambassador met with Kashmiri separatists.

Akbaruddin said India remained willing to engage in "serious dialogue" with Pakistan on issues including Kashmir.

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