India and Pakistan re-engage in Kashmir despite 'peace gesture'

Fighting between Pakistan and India in the disputed region of Kashmir resumed on Saturday.

The renewed shelling occurred in the wake of Pakistan's return of a captured Indian pilot on Friday evening, which was meant to be seen as a peace gesture. The two sides engaged each other overnight, and the exchange carried into Saturday morning.

At least six civilians, including two children and their mother whose home was hit by a Pakistani shell, have reportedly been killed on both sides of Kashmir, and several homes have been destroyed. India also reported the deaths of two paramilitary soldiers and two counterinsurgency police officers, while Pakistan's military says two of its soldiers are among the fatalities.

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Al Jazeera reports that officials from both countries "used the routine description" for the events, blaming the other side for "unprovoked" attacks and supporting their own troops for retaliating "befittingly."

The two sides have been engaged in on-and-off confrontations since a suicide bombing in Indian-controlled Kashmir killed 40 Indian troops on Feb. 14.