KABUL: Afghanistan and Pakistan have exchanged heavy artillery fire along their border, escalating tensions just days after announcing a temporary pause in hostilities. The clashes occurred Sunday as Pakistan hosted regional talks and signaled readiness to facilitate potential negotiations between the United States and Iran.

Fighting was reported in Afghanistan’s Kunar province and Pakistan’s Bajur district, with both sides using heavy weapons. Afghan officials said at least one person was killed and 16 others injured, most of them women and children, following Pakistani shelling.

Pakistani officials said their forces responded to cross-border fire from Afghanistan and denied targeting civilians, describing the incidents as limited violations. Military authorities did not issue an official statement.

The latest escalation follows the most intense fighting between the two countries in years, which erupted last month and caused significant casualties. A temporary pause had been observed during Eid al-Fitr after mediation efforts by regional countries, but uncertainty remains over whether the truce is still in effect.

Tensions between the neighbors remain high, driven by longstanding disputes over cross-border militancy, with Pakistan accusing Afghan Taliban authorities of harboring armed groups, a claim Kabul continues to reject.