He said the northern command remained on the highest alert and made possible what was believed impossible by the bravery, grit, and determination of its personnel in the face of challenging situations along the border.

If the firing stops across the LoC, it could well be the first baby steps towards diffusing tension and finally working at getting to a normal relationship.

The agreement on stopping cross-border firing between India and Pakistan has generated a lot of hope, scepticism and fear in the political circles of Kashmir Valley.

The latest development is seen as a thaw after years of tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Indian troops are retaliating to the unprovoked ceasefire violations by Pakistan, the officials said.

The cross-border firing in Pansar, Manyari and Karol Krishna in Jammu and Kashmir's Hiranagar sector started around 9.50 pm on Saturday.

Four army personnel, a BSF jawan and six civilians were killed along the LoC on Friday

Officials also said that the Indian forces have foiled a major cross-border infiltration attempt

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned, in the strongest terms, the "deliberate targeting" of innocent civilians by Pakistani forces

Mehbooba Mufti's remarks came after the two countries traded heavy fire on the LoC following ceasefire violations by Pakistan on Friday.

Officials say that Pakistani troops engaged in unprovoked firing and shelling on Saturday

India continuously targeting civilian areas along LoC, says Pakistan

The army has said that Subedar Sukhdev Singh was critically wounded on Monday evening in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district in Jammu. Singh, later succumbed to his injuries.

The Foreign Office in a statement claimed that 18 people had died and 183 been injured in 2,280 ceasefire violations this year.

India has claimed that Pakistan resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violations along the Line of Control in Rajouri yesterday.

The Indian Army launched a befitting retaliation to the Pakistani firing and shelling in Sunderbani sector, officials said.

India has told Pakistan that the unprovoked ceasefire violations along the LoC and Interntaional Border are in contravention of the 2003 ceasefire understanding between the two countries.

The firing and shelling from across the border in Shahpur and Kirni sectors was retaliated by the Indian army.

A police official said the firing intensified as the day passed and spread to the nearby Shahpur sector, causing panic among the border residents.

'Lack of phone connection (in J&K) is not a human rights violation,' says Amit Shah