New Delhi: Two Indian soldiers were killed when Pakistani forces fired across a ceasefire line in the disputed Kashmir region the Indian army said Tuesday.

The incident occurred Monday night along the Line of Control a de facto border dividing Kashmir into two parts one administered by India and the other by Pakistan.

"The Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire by firing machine guns and grenades in the Gurez sector. Two of our soldiers were killed" army spokesman NN Joshi said.

Indian troops retaliated and the exchange of fire continued for around two hours he said.

Dozens of civilians and soldiers have been killed on both sides of the border in periodic clashes since 2013.

India and Pakistan accuse each other of violating a 2003 ceasefire agreement in Kashmir a region administered in part by each country but claimed in its entirety by both.

QNA