Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said that Pakistan's new military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf, had carried out a pledge to withdraw his forces from the international border with India.

"We would also like it done on the Line of Control (in Kashmir)," she added.

On Tuesday, India said it had repelled an attack by Pakistani forces on two Indian positions along the Line of Control, killing four Pakistani soldiers.

It was the first such incident since the military coup in Pakistan.

A Indian Defence Ministry spokesman said at least 20 Pakistani soldiers were involved in the attack, which took place early on Monday morning.

Call to reduce tension

General Musharraf recently ordered a unilateral reduction of troops along the international border, but said troops along the LoC in Kashmir would not be reduced.

Mrs Albright said that clashes between the two sides tend to happen at this time of year, but called on both sides "to do whatever they can to reduce tensions".

India has expressed concern about the coup in Pakistan, and says it is watching developments closely.

It has also called on Pakistan to stop what it calls "cross-border terrorism" in Kashmir.

Earlier this year, there was heavy fighting in the Kargil sector of Kashmir after Pakistani-backed forces infiltrated Indian-held territory.

The conflict subsided when, under international pressure, Pakistan urged the infiltrators to pull back.