Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged heavy gunfire along their shared border late Friday, officials from both sides confirmed, escalating tensions just days after another round of peace talks ended without progress.

No casualties were immediately reported.

Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid alleged that Pakistani forces initiated attacks in Kandahar’s Spin Boldak district. In contrast, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s Prime Minister accused Afghan troops of carrying out “unprovoked firing" near the Chaman border crossing.

“Pakistan remains fully alert and committed to ensuring its territorial integrity and the safety of our citizens," government spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi said.

The flare-up occurred merely two days after talks hosted in Saudi Arabia concluded without a breakth

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