China backing Pak's probe demand shows its double standards: Experts

India and Pakistan continued to exchange fire across the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border between the two countries, for the fourth consecutive day.

- SATARUPA BHATTACHARJYA

In a statement on Monday, the Indian Army said that during the intervening night of April 27-28, "Pakistan Army posts initiated unprovoked small-arms fire across the LoC in areas opposite the Kupwara and Poonch districts." The statement added: "Indian troops responded swiftly and effectively."

The two districts are located in Jammu & Kashmir, where 26 people were killed in a targeted terrorist attack in the town of Pahalgam on April 22. Hundreds have been detained for questioning in the Union Territory, according to media reports. India has linked the attack to Pakistan.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke to Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister M I Dar over the phone on Sunday and said China supports Pakistan's demand for an impartial probe into the attack, in which Pakistan has denied involvement.