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
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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.



Taliban Say India Is a ‘Significant Regional Partner’ after Meeting

Photo: AFP
Photo: AFP
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Taliban Say India Is a ‘Significant Regional Partner’ after Meeting

Photo: AFP
Photo: AFP

The Taliban's foreign office said they saw India as a "significant regional and economic partner" after meeting with its most senior foreign ministry official, the highest level talks with Delhi since their takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.
India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met acting Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai on Wednesday.
Afghanistan's foreign ministry said in a statement that they had discussed expanding relations with Afghanistan and to boost trade through Chabahar Port in Iran, which India has been developing for goods to bypass the ports of Karachi and Gwadar in its rival Pakistan, Reuters reported.
"In line with Afghanistan's balanced and economy-focused foreign policy, the Islamic Emirate aims to strengthen political and economic ties with India as a significant regional and economic partner," the statement from Afghanistan's foreign ministry said late on Wednesday.
India's foreign ministry said after the Delhi meeting that India was considering engaging in development projects in Afghanistan and looking to boost trade ties.
No foreign government, including India, officially recognizes the Taliban administration.
However, India is one of several countries with a small mission in Kabul to facilitate trade, aid and medical support and has sent humanitarian aid to Afghanistan under the Taliban.
Regional players including China and Russia have signaled they are willing to boost trade and investment in Afghanistan.
The Delhi meeting could ruffle Pakistan, which borders both countries and has fought three wars in the past against India.
Pakistan and Afghanistan also have a strained relationship, with Pakistan saying that several militant attacks that have occurred in its country have been launched from Afghan soil - a charge the Afghan Taliban denies.
Earlier this week India's foreign office told journalists they condemned airstrikes conducted late last year by Pakistan on Afghan soil.