SRINAGAR, June 14: Pakistani forces open fired on Indian positions across their disputed frontier in Kashmir, killing one Indian soldier and drawing return fire in the Himalayan region, an army spokesman  said Thursday.

Pakistani forces fired rockets and automatic weapons starting on Wednesday and continuing into Thursday in an area southwest of Srinagar in what India considers a violation of a cease-fire, and Indian forces returned fire, army  spokesman R.K. Palta said.

Pakistan had no immediate comment. Palta said India contacted Pakistan via a hotline in an effort to de-escalate the situation. “However, Pakistani troops continued firing on Indian posts,” he said, adding that the situation remained tense.

The neighbouring armies have observed a cease-fire in the region since November 2003, but there have been isolated shooting incidents since then.

The latest firing took place about 180 kilometers (115 miles) southwest of the Kashmir’s main city of Srinagar.

The Pakistani side continued firing on Wednesday even when Indian forces worked to evacuate the injured soldier to a hospital, Palta said. The soldier succumbed to his injuries at the hospital on Thursday.