Relations between India and Pakistan are cratering following a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that has sparked tit-for-tat reprisals and raised fears of another military escalation between the nuclear-armed rivals.

The Indian Army on Friday retaliated to small arms firing initated by Pakistan Army at some places along the Line of Control on Jammu and Kashmir, said the officials. No casualties have been reported so far in the crossfire and further details are being ascertained, they added, reported ANI.

Armed police and soldiers searched homes and forests for militants in Kashmir and India's army chief visited the area to review security, after the killing of 26 men earlier this week - the worst attack on civilians in nearly two decades.