A controversy has erupted over the depiction of map of Indian- controlled Kashmir in an exercise book prescribed for class three by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), forcing publishers to withdraw the book.

The geographical map has named Pakistan-controlled-Kashmir as "Azad Kashmir" and Gilgit-Baltistan as "Northern areas".

The book is also taught in the army run-schools in Indian- controlled Kashmir apart from other schools in Indian states.

New Delhi treats Gilgit-Baltistan and other parts of Pakistan- controlled Kashmir as their integral part. Until 2009, Pakistan used to call Gilgit-Baltistan region Northern Areas.

The book was printed by a New Delhi based private publisher, Prabhat Publishing House and claims to have been published as per the new syllabus introduced by CBSE.

CBSE prescribes the syllabus for schools in India. The board comes under the Indian ministry of human resources development.

A senior army official in Srinagar Monday said the issue has come to the notice of Government of India and denied to comment on the issue.

"We have informed the higher ups and we cannot comment on it further," said the official.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from British, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.