16 civilians have been killed

India says 16 civilians have been killed as a result of Pakistani shelling

From CNN’s Vedika Sud, Aishwarya S. Iyer and Sophie Tanno

A total of 16 civilians have died, among them children, as a result of Pakistani fire since early Wednesday, India’s defense ministry has said.

“Sixteen innocent lives have been lost, including three women and five children, due to Pakistani firing,” a statement from the ministry Thursday said.

India and Pakistan have had near daily exchanges of fire across the Line of Control since the April 22 tourist massacre that sent relations between the two sides plummeting.

Pakistan’s military previously confirmed it shelled Indian positions in Indian-administered Kashmir in response to India’s airstrikes on its territory. India accused the Pakistanis of unprovoked firing over the Line of Control, the de facto border that divides disputed Kashmir.