An Indian soldier died after Pakistani troopers crossed the Line of Control dividing the disputed territory of Kashmir on Monday and opened fire on an army post, Indian officials said, dpa reported.
An army spokesman said a group of 12 Pakistani soldiers entered India-administered Kashmir through the Nowgam sector in northern Kupwara district and started firing after an argument.
"One soldier of the 15 Rajputana Rifles was killed in the Pakistani firing which triggered retaliatory firing from our side," the defence spokesman said.
He said the Pakistani soldiers were protesting over an Indian post set up near the LoC, which divides parts of Kashmir which both countries separately administer.
The body of the Indian soldier was yet to be recovered as intermittent firing continued in the area some 100 kilometres north of state capital Srinagar till late on Monday night.
indian officials alleged that this was the first incursion of Pakistani troops into India since 1999 when the nuclear-capable neighbours fought a battle in the Kargil area near the Line of Control.
They also alleged that it was a violation of the ceasefire announced in 2003 India and Pakistan.
Soon after beginning the cease-fire, India and Pakistan resumed a peace process in 2004 to resolve eight contentious issues including the dispute over the Himalayan region of Kashmir.
Kashmir has been at the root of tense relations between the South Asian neighbours since their independence from British rule in 1947.
India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars over Kashmir. An estimated 40,000 people - civilians, militants and security forces - have been killed in militant-related violence in India-administered Kashmir since 1990.
India says that militants trained and supported by Pakistan regularly infiltrate into its part of Kashmir to launch major attacks. Pakistan, however, denies the charge and calls Kashmiri militants freedom fighters.