SIALKOT, Oct 25: Two villagers were seriously injured as India’s Border Security Force (BSF) continued heavy shelling on Pakistan’s border villages on Friday.According to officials of the Chenab Rangers, several mortar shells hit houses in Wada Dhamala village in Charwah sector, leaving Muhammad Ameen and Jaffar Hussain seriously wounded. They were taken to the Combined Military Hospital, Sialkot, by the Rescue 1122.

The shelling killed several head of cattle in Bajwat, Chaprar, Charwah, Shakargarh and Bajra Garhi sectors along the Working Boundary.

Because of shelling harvesting of paddy and other seasonal crops remained suspended for the 12th day on Friday.

AP adds: Indian and Pakistani troops fired machine guns and mortar shells in Kashmir, wounding at least 12 people, officials said on Friday.

A 2003 ceasefire between the two countries has largely held for the past 10 years, although sporadic violations are common. In recent days, however, the skirmishes have escalated significantly.

Both countries have reported an increase in the number of attacks since Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh held their first face-to-face meeting last month in New York and agreed on the need to reduce tensions.

The latest violence started on Thursday night at about two dozen border posts. Mr Shantmanu, a civil administrator in India-held Kashmir who uses only one name, said 10 civilians, including four children, were wounded. In Islamabad, military officials said Indian troops fired first, wounding two Pakistanis. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity.

Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry called the ceasefire violations “a matter of great concern”.