China has called on India and Pakistan to employ restraint amid heightened tension over Kashmir, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a press conference on Friday.

Pakistan's army said Thursday that two soldiers were killed when Indian forces' fired shots along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir region, accusing India of violating the ceasefire "during the last 36 hours," according to an army statement.

The Pakistani army's media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations, later confirmed that "Pakistan Army troops damaged Indian post, killing three Indian soldiers in response in Haji Pir Sector," a few Indian soldiers were reportedly injured.

Reacting to the reports, Geng said he hoped the two sides would employ restraint and avoid actions that may escalate the situation.

China calls on the two sides to settle disputes through dialogue and work jointly to safeguard regional peace and stability, said Geng.

Tensions have been heightened after India lifted the special status for the Indian-controlled Kashmir in August. Pakistan retaliated by downgrading its diplomatic relations and suspending trade relations and train services with India.

Pakistan and India had declared a ceasefire along the LoC, the de facto border between both countries in the disputed Kashmir region and the working boundary in 2003. However, both sides routinely exchange fire and accuse each other of ceasefire violations.

(With input from Xinhua)

(Cover: An Indian security force personnel keeps guard along a road during restrictions after the government scrapped the special constitutional status for Kashmir, in Srinagar, August 15, 2019. /Reuters Photo)