Pakistan-Afghan fighting 'ends'

A Pakistani military spokesman and the Afghan interior ministry refuted claims made on Monday by Afghan officials that battles continued for a second day in Afghanistan's southeastern Paktia province.

"There was no clash today. The things are very much under control. There is no cause of concern," said Major General Waheed Arshad, Pakistani army spokesman.

Sunday's fighting marked the worst outbreak of violence between the neighbouring countries in years.

"Eight policemen and four civilians have been killed since yesterday," Sami-Ul Haq Badar, Afghan army general, said on Monday.

Reports have emerged that three US and two Pakistani troops were wounded by gunfire at the border on Monday, shortly after they met Monday in Pakistan's northwest Kurram region to discuss a lasting end to the army clashes.

"The firing came from the Afghan side. Three American and two Pakistani soldiers were wounded," a Pakistani official said on condition of anonymity.

Border posts

According to Afghan officials, Sunday's fighting erupted between after Pakistani forces took some areas in a border region in Paktia.

Pakistan said paramilitary forces retaliated after Afghan troops started "unprovoked firing" on border posts in the Kurram tribal region in northwest Pakistan.

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