Pakistan on Wednesday summoned a senior Indian diplomat over cross-border shelling which it said killed a civilian along the Line of Control (LoC) in the divided Kashmir region, officials said. The Foreign Ministry said the Indian forces resorted to "unprovoked ceasefire violations" in the Kotkotera sector along the LoC on Tuesday, Xinhua news agency reported.

The US declared it is ready to support, facilitate and participate in direct negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban, on the occasion of the Afghan government's announcement on Sunday of a conditional three-month ceasefire with the Taliban.

Pakistan on Sunday welcomed the Afghan government's declaration of a three-month conditional ceasefire with the Taliban from Monday. "Pakistan fully supports all such efforts that contribute to achieving durable stability and lasting peace in Afghanistan. The people of Afghanistan deserve it. Coinciding with the Independence Day of Afghanistan, the announcement (by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani) has an even greater significance," a Foreign Ministry spokesman was quoted by Xinhua as saying.

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday announced a conditional three-month ceasefire with the Taliban starting on Monday. "As we approach Eid-ul-Adha... we announce a ceasefire that would take effect from Monday, the day of Arafa, till the day of the birth of the prophet (PBUH), Milad-un-Nabi, provided that the Taliban reciprocate," Ghani told a gathering celebrating the Independence Day, Xinhua reported. The Afghan leader also called on Taliban leadership to welcome the wishes of Afghans for a long lasting and real peace. "We urge the Taliban leadership to get ready for peace talks based on Islamic values and principles," Ghani said, adding that the Afghan government has removed "all obstacles for a long lasting peace through these unprecedented steps." However, the Taliban group, which has repeatedly rejected an offer for peace talks with the Afghan government, has yet to react to President Ghani's offer for ceasefire. In June, the Afghan government announced a 17-day ceasefire to encourage the Taliban group to support the national reconciliation process. Reciprocating the government step, the Taliban announced a three-day truce during Eid-ul-Fitr which marked end of fasting month.

Pakistan on Saturday summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner J.P. Singh and condemned the "unprovoked ceasefire violations" by the Indian forces along the Line of Control (LoC) in its administered Kashmir, resulted in the death of a civilian.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced an end to his government's unilateral ceasefire with the Taliban on Saturday and ordered the security forces to resume their anti-militancy operations.

Amid continuous border firings from Pakistan, India may have to revoke Ramzan ceasefire promised in the past, said the government. Union minister Hansraj Ahir's statement came a day after two BSF jawans were martyred and several civilians injured as Pakistan violated ceasefire violation along the International Border (IB) in Jammu region.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday described as "unfortunate" Pakistan's violation of the ceasefire that left two BSF troopers dead and several people injured.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday termed Pakistan's ceasefire violations during the holy month of Ramadan as "highly unfortunate".

The central government on Wednesday announced a ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir during Ramadan, saying this was necessary to help "peace loving Muslims" observe the holy month in a peaceful environment.