\n<\/p>\n
Border clashes have erupted again between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban forces, with each sides accusing the other of breaking a fragile ceasefire.<\/p>\n
Residents fled the Afghan city of Spin Boldak overnight, which lies along the 1,600-mile (2,600 km) border between the two countries.<\/p>\n
A medical worker in the nearby city of Kandahar told BBC Pashto that four bodies had been brought to a local hospital. Four other people were wounded. Three were reportedly wounded in Pakistan.<\/p>\n
There has been sporadic fighting between the two countries in recent months, while Afghanistan’s Taliban government has also accused Pakistan of carrying out air strikes inside the country.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Both sides have confirmed they exchanged fire overnight but each blamed the other for initiating the four hours of fighting. <\/p>\n
Mosharraf Zaidi, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accused the Taliban of “unprovoked firing”.<\/p>\n
The statement continued: “An immediate, befitting & intense response has been given by our armed forces. Pakistan remains fully alert & committed to ensuring its territorial integrity & the safety our citizens.”<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a Taliban spokesperson said Pakistan had “once again initiated attacks” and said it was “forced to respond”.<\/p>\n
Residents on the Afghan side of the border said the exchange of fire started at around 22:30 (18:00 GMT) on Friday.<\/b><\/p>\n
Footage from the area showed a large number of Afghans fleeing on foot and in vehicles. <\/p>\n
Ali Mohammed Haqmal, head of Kandahar’s information department, said Pakistan’s forces had attacked with “light and heavy artillery” and civilian homes had been hit by mortar fire.<\/p>\n