India said on Monday it had responded to 'unprovoked' small arms firing from Pakistan along the de facto border for the fourth consecutive night, as it deepens its search for militants in the region following last week's deadly attack on tourists in Kashmir.

China has urged Pakistan and India to exercise restraint and resolve differences through dialogue and consultation, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday when asked whether Beijing would step in to mediate tensions sparked by a deadly attack in the Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Pakistan has claimed it has credible intelligence that India is preparing to launch a military strike within the next 24 hours as tensions soar between the two nuclear neighbours.