PARACHINAR, May 20: A joint jirga of Pakistani and Afghan tribesmen on Sunday discussed the situation arising out of last week’s skirmishes between security forces of the two countries over a disputed military post along the border.

Sources said the jirga, which was held in the border area of Gavi Sar, had agreed to cease fire and open all routes to facilitate the movement of goods and people. The jirga was attended by Jaji and Mangal tribal elders living along border.

It discussed the situation after the clashes over the Gavi Sar outpost and agreed to defuse the tension and open routes, said jirga member Haji Jamal Mangal.

He said the jirga would meet again on Monday to discuss a permanent ceasefire and opening of all routes.

He said people had their relatives on both sides of the border and they were facing difficulties because of tension in the area, adding that a solution to the dispute lay only in purposeful talks.

The sources said the jirga had the backing of the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

At least nine Pakistani security personnel had been wounded in the last week’s clash over the disputed outpost. The Afghan government claimed that more than 15 people had been killed and over 30 others injured inside its territory.