SRINAGAR, June 5 (2003): Five civilians were killed in Indian Kashmir when Pakistani troops fired artillery shells and mortar bombs across a ceasefire line dividing the disputed region, Indian police said on Thursday.

It was the highest number of Indian civilians killed in Pakistani fire since Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee called for talks with Pakistan during a visit to Indian Kashmir on April 18.

“According to early reports, one civilian was killed in Uri and four in Kern,” a police officer said, referring to two sectors near the so-called Line of Control dividing the region between the nuclear-armed rivals.

Indian forces had retaliated to the Pakistani fire, he said.

Pakistan said on Tuesday at least nine people were killed and six wounded on its side of the ceasefire line by Indian firing.

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