Pakistan denies killing Indian soldiers, wants talks

Pakistan emphatically denied Tuesday Indian allegations that Pakistani soldiers intruded into Jammu and Kashmir and killed five Indian soldiers.

"Pakistan rejects the allegations carried by sections of the Indian media of an attack across the LoC (Line of Control) in the Poonch sector in which five Indian soldiers were claimed to have been killed," a Pakistani foreign office statement said.

"These are baseless and unfounded allegations. Our military authorities have confirmed there had been no exchange of fire that could have resulted in such an incident," it said.

Pakistan, the statement said, "remains committed to the ceasefire agreement of 2003 which is an important Confidence Building Measure and should be respected in letter and spirit.

"Pakistan also urges the need for abiding by and strengthening existing military mechanisms to ensure that such ill-founded reports that have the potential of vitiating the atmosphere are avoided.

"Pakistan is committed to a constructive, sustained and result-oriented process of engagement with India and looks forward to an early resumption of the dialogue process.

"It is important that both sides make serious efforts in maintaining the positive atmosphere and avoid negative propaganda."

Earlier, the Indian defence ministry said that Pakistani soldiers sneaked into Jammu and Kashmir early Tuesday and ambushed an Indian patrol, killing five soldiers and wounding a sixth.