DHAKA: Senior Pakistani and Indian military officials spoke Tuesday by hotline after days of intense cross-border firing in the disputed region of Kashmir heightened tensions.

At least 20 civilians have been killed and thousands of people on both sides of the de facto border in Kashmir have fled their homes in what residents have described as some of the worst shelling in years.

The surge in violence between the nuclear-armed neighbours, who have fought two wars over the Himalayan territory, has coincided with the joint award of the Nobel Peace Prize to a Pakistani and an Indian.

Pakistan’s military said Tuesday it had voiced concern at continued Indian firing across the disputed frontier in Kashmir and in Punjab province, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1605 HRS, OCT 14, 2014