Peshawar, Nov 03: Pakistani soldiers exchanged artillery fire with Afghan militia troops across their shared border in a northwestern tribal region where previous skirmishes have caused tension between the two countries, officials said today. The shooting late yesterday was reported at three locations along the border in Mohmand region, about 100 kms northwest of Peshawar, the capital of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province, said Irfanullah Khan, an administration official in Mohmand.

Both sides used light artillery in the hour-long battle in Yaqubi Kandao, Spina Bara and Gosrai, Khan said.

Pakistan's chief military spokesman, Maj Gen Shaukat Sultan, confirmed the shooting but said the incident was "not serious" and that the situation was normal along the border.

No fighting was reported today.


No casualties were reported on the Pakistani side and there was no information immediately from the Afghan side.

It was unclear what prompted the latest clashes in Mohmand, where the two sides have engaged in minor skirmishes since June. There have been few casualties so far. Pakistan has moved thousands of troops to the area to stop Taliban and al-Qaida fugitives fleeing from Afghanistan. Previously, the border - which is not clearly marked in places- was unmanned and could be freely crossed in the rugged region.

Bureau Report