India defends shelling after four Pakistani soldiers martyred

NEW DELHI: India has defended shelling across Line of Control (LOC) that allegedly killed four Pakistani soldiers, saying Monday it had the right to retaliate over "ceasefire violations" in the Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK).

The military heads of India and Pakistan spoke by phone after Islamabad accused New Delhi of bombing one of its military vehicles Sunday, killing four of its troops in Azad Kashmir.

In a statement following the call, the Indian army said that "all ceasefire violations were initiated by Pakistan Army and the Indian Army only responded appropriately to them".

India was also targeting "armed intruders" attempting to cross the Line of Control in close proximity to Pakistani army posts, the statement added.

The Indian army said it wanted peace at the border but "reserved the right to retaliate appropriately" for ceasefire violations.