India told Pakistan yesterday to stop its shelling in disputed Kashmir, warning it will make such attacks "unaffordable", as the death toll from this week's cross-border violence - the worst in years-rose to 17.

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley accused Pakistan of instigating the tit-for-tat shelling that began on Sunday and has forced tens of thousands of civilians living on both sides of the border to flee their homes.

“If Pakistan persists with this adventurism, our forces will make cost of this adventurism unaffordable for it," Jaitley told journalists in New Delhi.

"Pakistan should stop this unprovoked firing and shelling if it wants peace on the border."

The Pakistani army yesterday confirmed five more civilians had died on its side of the disputed northern

Kashmir region and eastern Punjab province, doubling the toll to 10.

Seven civilians have died in India. Regional police chief Rajesh Kumar told AFP that firing from both sides had continued into the early hours of the morning.

"Tens of thousands of people have fled their homes," he added.

The nuclear-armed neighbours have traded blame for the cross-border strikes, which began during Eid ul-Adha celebrations in the predominantly Muslim region.

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said his country was "fully capable of responding befit-tingly to Indian aggression" but urged India to exercise caution.

"We do not want the situation on the borders of two nuclear neighbours to escalate into confrontation," he added.

US Senators Timothy Kaine and Angus King said they are "concerned" over the rising tensions at the India-Pakistan Line

ofControl, reportsThe Hindu.

Speaking to journalists in New Delhi yesterday, the senators raised some eyebrows by also suggesting that the United Nations could play a "bigger role" in the conflict. "I welcome the comments of the UN Secretary General calling for diplomatic efforts and dialogue to end the worrying situation between India and Pakistan," said King, referring to a statement from UN Secretary General's spokesperson Stephanie Dujarric asking India and Pakistan to “resolve their issues".

While the UN Secretary General stuck to India's stated position on a bilateral resolution to the LoC with Pakistan, the US Senators may have stepped out of line by calling for a greater role in the dispute, adding "As a promoter of peaceful resolution of disputes the UN does a good job and in that sense their participation should be welcomed."