Srinagar, Kashmir - Fierce clashes between Indian and Pakistani troops along the volatile Kashmir border stopped Tuesday and the body of an Indian soldier killed in the violence was recovered, Indian officials said.

The firing began on late Monday afternoon after 12 Pakistani soldiers crossed the Line of Control (LoC) dividing the disputed region and shot dead an Indian soldier in the Nowgam sector.

"The firing stopped on Tuesday morning after lasting for nearly 16 hours. A flag meeting between Indian and Pakistani troops is being held at the local level," Indian army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel AK Mathur told reporters.

Indian media reported that four Pakistani soldiers were also killed in retaliatory firing in the area 100 kilometres north of state capital Srinagar but officials did not confirm the deaths.

Reports said Pakistani soldiers had entered India-administered Kashmir to protest the construction of an Indian bunker near the LoC.

Meanwhile, Indian officials alleged that this was the worst violation of the ceasefire with Pakistan announced in November 2003.

"Earlier Pakistani troops opened fire to provide cover for militants to sneak into Indian territory, but this was the first incursion of Pakistani soldiers into the Indian side since the ceasefire in 2003," an Indian army official said requesting anonymity.

Soon after beginning the ceasefire, India and Pakistan resumed a peace process in 2004 to resolve eight contentious issues including the dispute over the Himalayan region of Kashmir.

Kashmir has been at the root of tense relations between the South Asian neighbours since their independence from British rule in 1947.

India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars over Kashmir. An estimated 40,000 people - civilians, militants and security forces - have been killed in militant-related violence in India-administered Kashmir since 1990.

India says that militants trained and supported by Pakistan regularly infiltrate into its part of Kashmir to launch major attacks. Pakistan, however, denies the charge and calls Kashmiri militants freedom fighters. (dpa)