India, Pakistan Exchange Fire, Several Soldiers Killed

A young Indian boy touches the coffin of his father, Indian army soldier Jaki Sharma, who was killed in firing from the Pakistan side of the border, April 10, 2018. VIA AP
A young Indian boy touches the coffin of his father, Indian army soldier Jaki Sharma, who was killed in firing from the Pakistan side of the border, April 10, 2018. VIA AP
TT
20

India, Pakistan Exchange Fire, Several Soldiers Killed

A young Indian boy touches the coffin of his father, Indian army soldier Jaki Sharma, who was killed in firing from the Pakistan side of the border, April 10, 2018. VIA AP
A young Indian boy touches the coffin of his father, Indian army soldier Jaki Sharma, who was killed in firing from the Pakistan side of the border, April 10, 2018. VIA AP

Pakistani firing killed up to four Indian paramilitary soldiers on border patrol, Indian officials said, according to AP.

Pakistan denied initiating the attack and blamed Indian soldiers for provoking the confrontation.

India and Pakistan agreed a while ago to stop trading fire along the tensed frontier and uphold a cease-fire accord dating back 15 years.

While Indian soldiers patrolled a border area in the Jammu region, one of the soldiers was shot by a Pakistani sniper, Indian border guards said as reported by AP.

While other soldiers tried to rescue their fallen comrade, Pakistani soldiers fired volley of gunfire at them, triggering exchange of gunfire, two border officials said.

The two, who spoke on condition of anonymity in keeping with border guards policy, said three soldiers were killed on the spot while the other died later while being evacuated.



Taiwan Holds First Live-Fire of US High-Tech Rocket Systems 

The Taiwanese military conducts its first High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) live-fire test launch at the Jiupeng base in Pingtung, Taiwan May 12, 2025. (Reuters)
The Taiwanese military conducts its first High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) live-fire test launch at the Jiupeng base in Pingtung, Taiwan May 12, 2025. (Reuters)
TT
20

Taiwan Holds First Live-Fire of US High-Tech Rocket Systems 

The Taiwanese military conducts its first High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) live-fire test launch at the Jiupeng base in Pingtung, Taiwan May 12, 2025. (Reuters)
The Taiwanese military conducts its first High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) live-fire test launch at the Jiupeng base in Pingtung, Taiwan May 12, 2025. (Reuters)

Taiwan conducted Monday its first live-firing of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) purchased from the United States, as the self-ruled island upgrades its capabilities to repel a potential Chinese attack.

China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring the island under its control.

Taiwan would be massively outgunned in any war with China and for decades has been buying US military weapons and equipment as a deterrence against Beijing.

The first batch of 11 HIMARS were delivered to Taiwan in November.

The truck-mounted units can launch multiple precision-guided rockets at the same time, and has been used by Ukraine against Russia in their ongoing conflict.

AFP journalists watched Monday as Taiwan's army launched rockets from the HIMARS at the Jiupeng base in southern Pingtung County.

Washington severed official diplomatic relations with Taipei in 1979 in favor of Beijing, but has remained Taiwan's most important backer and arms supplier.

In the past five decades, the United States has sold Taiwan billions of dollars worth of military equipment and ammunition, including F-16 fighter jets and warships, angering China.