Islamabad, Aug 8

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Thursday expressed "sadness" over the border clashes in Kashmir, and said India and Pakistan must take "effective steps" to restore normalcy on the frontier.

Sharif told foreign ministry officials here that he was sad over the incidents involving Pakistani and Indian troops along the Line of Control (LoC) that divides Jammu and Kashmir between the two countries.

"The prime minister said it was imperative for both India and Pakistan to take effective steps to ensure and restore ceasefire on the LoC," a foreign ministry statement quoted him as saying.

Sharif's comments came as Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony earlier in the day formally accused the Pakistan Army of killing the five soldiers in Indian territory early Tuesday.

By:IANS