India and Pakistan troops exchanged fire in the Jammu and Kashmir region on Friday, according to officials in New Delhi, as relations between the nuclear-armed neighbors continue to plummet after a deadly attack on tourists this week.

Relations between India and Pakistan are cratering following a deadly attack in the disputed Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir that left more than two dozen tourists dead, raising fears of military escalation between the nuclear-armed rivals.

Twenty-six men were killed and 17 were injured when suspected militants opened fire at tourists in India's Jammu and Kashmir territory, police said.