US concerned over India-Pakistan skirmishes

The State department expressed concern about reports of violence along the India-Pakistan border as tensions mount between the neighboring nations. State department spokeswoman Marie Harf confirmed the administration was aware of recent incidences of violence triggered by the death of five Indian soldiers in the Poonch region. Pakistan accused Indian troops of retaliating by firing shells across the disputed border in Kashmir. "We continue to press and hope that India and Pakistan will continue the steps they have recently taken to improve their bilateral relations," Harf told reporters at a briefing, "that they need to keep taking steps to improve trust and improve their relationship."