In recent weeks tensions have sharply risen on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan's Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, which villagers say have been bombarded with hundreds of rocket attacks. - Photo by AP

KHAR: Two mortar shells fired from across the border in Afghanistan slammed into a Pakistani house on Tuesday, killing at least two women and wounding 12 other people, officials said.

It was the latest in a series of deadly cross-border incidents that have raised tensions between the neighbouring countries, but it was not immediately clear who fired the shells.

The mortar rounds exploded in Gabri village, 60 kilometers (40 miles) northwest of Khar, the main town of restive Bajaur tribal district.

“Two women were killed and 12 other people were wounded when mortar shells fired from across the border fell into a house,” local administration official Syed Nasim Shah told AFP.

Administration officials in Khar confirmed the casualties.

Hundreds of Afghans took to the streets in the eastern town of Jalalabad on Monday chanting “death to Pakistani invaders” to protest against cross-border attacks that they claim have killed dozens of people.

In recent weeks tensions have sharply risen on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan's Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, which villagers say have been bombarded with hundreds of rocket attacks.

Pakistan says its security forces may have fired a few accidental rounds into Afghanistan while pursuing militants. It also says that insurgents from Afghanistan have crossed the border to attack security checkpoints.