ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan and India conducted tit-for-tat launches of nuclear-capable missiles Wednesday and traded heavy artillery fire across a cease-fire line in the disputed Kashmir region.
India also accused Pakistan of having a hand in this week's killing of 24 Hindus in Kashmir. Pakistan condemned the massacre by suspected Islamic separatists and called for an independent inquiry.
Analysts in Pakistan said they feared New Delhi might be trying to take advantage of the U.S.-led war in Iraq to ratchet up tensions over Kashmir. One of the only things Pakistan and India have agreed on recently is their opposition to the war in Iraq. Leaders of both countries have called for a quick end while avoiding outright criticism of Washington.
The South Asian rivals have fought three wars since gaining independence from Britain in 1947 -- two of them over Kashmir.
