next Image 1 of 3

prev next Image 2 of 3

prev Image 3 of 3

A Pakistani lawmaker from Kashmir says thousands of frightened villagers have left their homes in several border villages as Indian shelling continues across the Line of Control.

Waqar Noor, a member of Kashmir's Legislative Assembly, says Tuesday that authorities are making arrangements to accommodate thousands of villagers from the area, who are currently sheltering in open fields or the homes of relatives.

The evacuation of the Bhimber district came after seven Pakistani soldiers were killed by Indian shelling on Monday.

India and Pakistan have traded fire repeatedly in recent weeks across the Line of Control, which divides the Himalayan region. Both nuclear-armed countries claim Kashmir in its entirety, and have twice gone to war over it.