Troops from Pakistan and India exchanged fire in the disputed region of Kashmir for the third consecutive night.

Relations between the nuclear rivals have reached their most tense level in years.

India accused Pakistan of supporting "cross-border terrorism" after armed men carried out the deadliest attack on civilians in Muslim-majority Kashmir in a quarter of a century.

Islamabad denied any involvement, calling attempts to link Pakistan to the attack "frivolous" and vowing to respond to any Indian action.

Indian security forces launched a massive manhunt for those responsible for the killing of 26 men in the tourist town of Pahalgam on April 22, with police identifying two Pakistani nationals among the armed men who fled.

The Indian army said today that there had been "unprovoked" small-arms fire "initiated from Pakistan" across the Line of Control (LOC) separating the two sides.

"Our troops responded effectively with appropriate small-arms fire," the army added.

Pakistan has not yet confirmed the latest exchange of fire.

Following the attack, New Delhi suspended a water-sharing agreement, announced the closure of the main land border crossing with Pakistan, downgraded diplomatic relations, and canceled visas for Pakistani citizens.

In response, Islamabad ordered the expulsion of Indian diplomats and military advisers, canceled visas for Indian citizens—except for Sikh pilgrims—and closed the main border crossing on its side.

The UN called for "maximum restraint" so that the issues could be "resolved peacefully through meaningful mutual engagement." | BGNES, AFP