Jammu and Kashmir have been in the conflicts cross fire for years

FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up fornow and never miss the top politics stories again. We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

Heavy shelling began at 7.45am as border conflict, which has been taking place for a number of years, continued to cause havoc for civilians living in the area. The latest violence comes just 24 hours after India threatened to invade Pakistan in a dramatic rise in rhetoric between the two nations. Following the death of the Indian family, a New Delhi Defence Spokesman said: “Pakistan began heavy unprovoked firing around 7.45am which last for four hours. “Pakistan forces fired automatic and small arms and mortars, and targeted civilian localities deep inside Indian territory — 3-4 km from the Line of Control (LoC).

“There is no army deployment or any installation in the area.” Heavy exchanges of shelling have been on the rise over the past 12 months with both countries accusing the other of the increasing military action. The two nations both claim they should have control of the Jammu and Kashmir regions, leading to a bitter dispute. Following the deaths of the India citizens on Sunday the Defence Spokesman said: “Pakistan continues in its cowardly design of targeting innocent civilians, their homes and livestock in villages close to the LoC.

Heavy shelling has intensified over the last 12 months

“The deliberate provocation has resulted in the loss of five precious and innocent civilian lives.” The two injured in the conflict were airlifted to hospital for treatment. The attack is likely to anger India, who have already warned they are unafraid of crossing the LoC if they believe Pakistan is putting their citizens in danger. India’s Home Minister, Rajnath Singh, said: “We will not only secure India internally but can also cross border, if needed, to protect the country.” He also vowed the contested region would always be a part of India.