Intense exchanges of fire between Pakistani and Indian border forces continued for a third day, officials said Friday, after three soldiers were killed on New Year’s Eve.

Indian troops fired mortar shells and guns at Pakistani villages in Narowal district of central Punjab province, a military official said.

Several hundred families had fled the shelling early Friday, said an official from Pakistan’s Chenab Rangers, a paramilitary force that mans the borders.

Clashes also took place across the countries’ de facto border in the disputed Kashmir region, both officials said.

Two Pakistani troops and an Indian soldier were killed Wednesday in firing across the volatile border in Narowal district.

India and Pakistani soldiers have been involved in several low-intensity border clashes over the past two years. Each side accuses other of violating a 10-year-old ceasefire agreement in Kashmir.

The nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours have fought three wars since their independence from Britain in 1947. SAPA