Thousands are fleeing their homes during India-Pakistan border clashes

As many as 10,000 people living near the India-Pakistan border have abandoned their homes in the past week, according to local officials.

An Indian Border Security Force official told Reuters that about 6,000 people in the India-controlled Kashmir, a disputed region, left their homes Monday. Another 4,000 fled last week when border clashes between the two countries began.

(AP Photo/Channi Anand)

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"We had a narrow escape, and there is a war-like situation," Sham Kumar, 54, a resident of the Sherpur village, told Reuters. "Pakistani troops are using long-range weapons. It is the first time we have seen such intense shelling."

India and Pakistan have experienced heavy border clashes in the past year. There have been at least 10 casualties, including soldiers and civilians from both countries, this week alone.