Afghan and Pakistani border forces met in Spin Boldak district of southern Kandahar province on Friday evening to discuss the security situation - an hour after clashes stopped following a ceasefire.

This came after border forces opened fire on each other across the Durand Line after Afghanistan authorities accused Pakistani officials of having breached their territory.

At the meeting, a number of Pakistani officers raised their concerns over the heightened tension between Afghan and Pakistani border forces in recent months and said this was not in the best interests of either country.

Kandahar Police Chief Lieutenant Gen. Abdul Raziq, who chaired the Afghan delegation at the meeting, warned that they are monitoring Pakistani forces movements and that Afghan security forces will respond to any intervention against Afghan territory.

"Our security forces have been busy fighting terrorists in recent years, but I warn you that your forces should not use the situation for their own benefit. We will stand against any personal or group intervention," he said.

Raziq also accused Pakistani forces of entering Afghan territory and said such moves are against international laws.

"Both countries are Muslim and we are neighbors, so I urge you that we should not do anything against the laws. Your moves are obvious interventions in our affairs and after this any actions against the laws should not be repeated," said Raziq.

Pakistan forces meanwhile accused Afghan soldiers of crossing over the border and occupying Pakistani soldiers' strongholds.

"Afghan security forces have crossed an international border and came towards our side of the divided village and they occupied the positions over there. So we took it seriously because it is threatening the sovereignty of the neighboring country and a Muslim country," said General Nadim, a Pakistani military official.

Nadim said tensions between Afghan and Pakistani border forces are bad for both countries.

Meanwhile, Afghan border soldiers also warned that they will stand against any move by Pakistan's military.

"I will defend my country until the last drop of blood remains in my body. I will not allow any group or country to intervene in my country," Gul Ahmad, a border soldier said.

According to Kandahar police, the clash between Afghan and Pakistani forces started on Friday when Pakistani forces entered Afghan territory.

Four Afghan soldiers along with two civilians and nine Pakistani soldiers were killed in the clash and nearly 80 others were wounded from both sides.

LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/6551

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