KHOST, May 14: Afghan and Pakistan forces traded fire across their border for a second day on Monday, as officials announced that eight policemen and four civilians had died in the fighting.

The clashes, described by the Afghan defence ministry as the worst for decades between the two countries, erupted late on Sunday in the Paktia province, about 120 kilometres southeast of Kabul.

“Eight policemen and four civilians have been killed since yesterday,” Afghan army general Sami-ul Haq Badar told AFP.

Reinforcements armed with artillery and armoured tanks were dispatched to the area on Monday, as “scattered firing” continued, he added.

The interior ministry in Kabul said the clashes “erupted due to a misunderstanding between two Afghan and Pakistani border posts.” It did not give details.

Pakistani troops had occupied two Afghan border posts for two hours on Sunday but were later repelled, it claimed.

Afghan troops and tribesmen later seized and held two Pakistan posts for four hours.

The ministry did not give any information about the casualties.

The two sides had exchanged fire into the night, Pakistan military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad told AFP in Islamabad. He said there had been no casualties.

Commanders from both militaries and their counterparts in the Nato and US-led coalition forces in Afghanistan met on Monday to solve the issue, said Gen Arshad.

Nato’s force in Kabul confirmed it was facilitating a meeting.—AFP