ISLAMABAD: Pakistan reportedly summoned India's Deputy High Commissioner to that country on Wednesday evening to register its protest over the alleged killing of four Pakistan Rangers by Indian troops in the border areas of the Samba Sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
The protest was lodged despite two reported cease-fire violations by Pakistani troops in the last 24 hours.
Apart from the four Rangers killed, one Indian Border Security Force jawan - Constable Sri Ram Gowria - was killed. Another jawan is reported to have suffered minor injuries.
The Indian retaliation came when Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh - after being briefed, asked the BSF to give a fitting reply to the Rangers.
An official statement said, "The Home Minister asked the DG, BSF to provide a suitable and appropriate reply for any such unprovoked firing."
India paramilitariesstopped firing when the Rangers raised a white flag, requesting time to remove the bodies.
In its official communique, Pakistan said it had summoned the Indian envoy to lodge strong protest over the "Shahadat of two personnel of Pakistani Rangers".
On Tuesday night, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said the Indian Army would retaliate with "double the force" if Pakistan opened fire across the border.
His comments came as tension between the two countries sharply escalated.
Cross-border violence has, in recent months, been the worst in over a decade. In October, at least 20 civilians were killed on both sides.
India summoned Pakistani High Commissioner Abdul Basit earlier this week to protest against the possibility of 26/11 mastermind Zakiur-Rahman Lakhvi walking free.
(ANI with inputs)