India on Tuesday summoned Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner Syed Haider Shah to lodge a “strong protest” against the alleged ceasefire violation by Pakistani forces in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, which led to the death of three children.

The minors died in the state’s Poonch district after forces from across the border had opened fire. The exchange of fire took place in the Kerni and Digwar sectors.

“It was conveyed that such deliberate targeting of civilians was not acceptable and was against humanitarian norms and practices,” the Ministry of External Affairs said. “Strong concern was also expressed at continued unprovoked firing by Pakistan forces across the Line of Control and the International Boundary in violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding.”

The ministry said that Pakistani forces had violated the ceasefire 503 times in 2017.

As news of this development emerged, an Indian soldier was killed in another ceasefire violation by Pakistan near the LoC in Poonch, PTI reported. Naik Mahendra Chemjung, 35, sustained serious injuries in the firing, and succumbed to them later.

“The Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked firing on Indian Army posts in the Krishna Ghati sector at around 12.50 hours today,” an unidentified defence spokesperson said. “The Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively.”