Pakistan and Indian troops exchanged fire overnight along the Line of Control in disputed Kashmir, officials said. This came after the UN urged the nuclear rivals to show "utmost restraint" following the deadly firing in the region, AFP reported.

Relations plunged to their lowest level in years, with India accusing Pakistan of supporting "cross-border terrorism" after gunmen carried out the worst attack on civilians in disputed Muslim-majority Kashmir in a quarter of a century.

Syed Ashfaq Gilani, a government official in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, said troops exchanged fire along the Line of Control that separates the two countries.

"There was no firing on civilians," he added.

The Indian army confirmed that there was limited small arms fire, which it said was "initiated by Pakistan", adding that it was "effectively repelled".

On 24 April, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the issues between the parties "can and must be resolved peacefully through constructive mutual engagement".

"We appeal to both governments to exercise maximum restraint and ensure that the situation and the events we have witnessed do not deteriorate further," he said. 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to track down the gunmen responsible for the killing of 26 civilians at the popular tourist site of Pahalgam after Indian police identified two of the three escaped gunmen as Pakistanis.

"I say to the whole world: India will identify, trace and punish every terrorist and his supporter," Modi said in his first speech since the April 22 attack in the Himalayan region.

"We will pursue them to the ends of the earth," he added.

Denying any involvement, Islamabad called attempts to link Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack "frivolous" and vowed to respond to any Indian action.

"Any threat to Pakistan's sovereignty and the security of its people will be met with firm reciprocal measures in all areas," it said in a statement after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a rare National Security Committee meeting with top military chiefs. | BGNES