Heavy fighting has broken out between Pakistan and Afghanistan along their border, with both sides accusing each other of starting the latest clashes, Reuters reported. The renewed violence comes only days after the two neighbours had agreed to temporarily pause hostilities.

Officials confirmed that artillery and heavy weapons were used during the exchanges, striking areas in Afghanistan’s Kunar province and Pakistan’s Bajur district, according to Reuters. The fighting reportedly left at least one person dead and more than a dozen others injured, most of them women and children on the Afghan side.

Afghanistan’s Taliban administration blamed Pakistan for the casualties, saying civilians were targeted during the shelling, Reuters reported. However, Pakistani officials denied the claims, insisting their forces only responded to attacks from across the border and did not target civilian areas.

The latest violence comes at a sensitive time for Islamabad, which has expressed willingness to host potential talks between the United States and Iran aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East, according to Reuters. The announcement followed a meeting of regional powers hosted by Pakistan to discuss ways of reducing conflict in the region.

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained tense in recent months. The situation worsened after intense fighting earlier this year, which resulted in significant loss of life on both sides, Reuters reported. Kabul previously accused Pakistan of carrying out an airstrike in the Afghan capital that killed hundreds, a claim Islamabad strongly rejected, stating it had targeted militant infrastructure.

A brief ceasefire had been observed during the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr after calls from countries including Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. However, Pakistan has since indicated that the pause in fighting has ended, while Afghanistan has not clearly confirmed its current position, according to Reuters.

Pakistan continues to accuse the Afghan Taliban of providing safe haven to militant groups responsible for attacks داخل its territory. Kabul has denied these allegations, maintaining that insecurity in Pakistan is an internal issue, Reuters reported.

The latest developments highlight the fragile security situation along the border and raise concerns about further instability in the region at a time when diplomatic efforts are underway elsewhere.