The first shell, fired from Pakistani positions just over the nearby mountains, landed in the terraced rice paddy just below the house.

The high death toll from an incident between two supposed allies suggests Nato helicopters and jets strafed Pakistani positions with heavy weapons.

The assault began at 5:15 pm on 3 July, with India shelling the Pakistani positions.

The Pakistani position at this point was highly perilous, the Indians outnumbered them by ten to one.

Following the long-standing Pakistani position on this issue, Ms. Bhutto declined, the officials said.

Apart from small hit and run attacks, Pakistani position remained secured north of the Tista river.

India reported shelling 11 Pakistani positions in Kashmir today.

He said Pakistani positions were only 150 yards away, and an Indian soldier was wounded only two weeks ago.

Despite a personal phone call from Nehru urging him to come to India, Chaudhry chose the Pakistani position.

The next day the squadron flew several missions against dug-in and well-prepared Pakistani positions in the Bulge.