PakistanandAfghanistanexchanged heavy fire along their border late on Friday, officials from both countries said, amid heightened tensions following failedpeace talksearlier this week.
There were no immediate reports of casualties.
AfghanTalibanspokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistani forces launched attacks inSpin Boldakdistrict ofKandaharprovince. A spokesman for Pakistan's prime minister accused Afghan forces of "unprovoked firing" along the Chaman border.
"Pakistan remains fully alert and committed to ensuring its territorial integrity and the safety of our citizens," spokesman Mosharraf Zaidi said in a statement.
The exchange came two days after a new round of peace talks between the South Asian neighbours ended without a breakthrough, though both sides agreed to continue their fragile ceasefire.
The talks inSaudi Arabialast weekend were the latest in a series of meetings hosted byQatar,Turkeyand Saudi Arabia aimed at cooling tensions following deadly border clashes in October.
Read morePakistan denies launching air strikes on Afghanistan that killed at least 10, mostly children
At the heart of the dispute,Islamabadsays Afghan-based militants have carried outrecent attacks in Pakistan, including suicide bombings involving Afghan nationals.Kabuldenies the charge, saying it cannot be held responsible for security inside Pakistan.
Dozens werekilled in Octobers clashes, the worst violence on the border since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in 2021.
(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)
Originally published on France24
