India, Pakistan Agree To Ease Kashmir Tensions

India and Pakistan have agreed to ease tensions in disputed Kashmir and observe a decade-old cease-fire.

The agreement comes after three Pakistani soldiers and two Indian troops have died in recent attacks along the de facto border separating Indian- and Pakistani-controlled Kashmir.

An Indian Army spokesman said military commanders from both sides talked by telephone and reached an understanding not to allow the situation to escalate.

He did not give further details of the conversation between India's director of general military operations, Lieutenant General Vinod Bhatia, and his Pakistani counterpart, Major General Ashfaq Nadeem.

The recent attacks have threatened to further strain ties between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, who have fought two wars over the Himalayan territory.

The January 16 talks come after Islamabad said a Pakistani soldier was killed by Indian troops on January 15.