This Article is From Jun 20, 2016

Pakistan, Afghanistan Hold Talks On Deadly Border Clashes

Pakistan, Afghanistan Hold Talks On Deadly Border Clashes

A major Afghan-Pakistan border crossing reopened on June 18 after it was closed for several days following deadly clashes between the two countries. (AFP Photo)

Islamabad: Pakistan's foreign ministry says an Afghan delegation has arrived in Islamabad for talks on last week's border clashes that killed two Afghan border guards and a Pakistani officer.

Foreign Office's spokesman Nafees Zakaria says today's talks are aimed at promoting peace and resolving the escalation.

He says Pakistani Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry welcomed the delegation led by Afghanistan's deputy foreign minister, Hekmat Khalil Karzai.

Afghanistan and Pakistan last week traded deadly heavy gunfire and artillery at the Torkham border crossing after Pakistan started building a gate on its side to check for unwanted and illegal movement.

Afghanistan does not recognize the present boundary, the so-called Durand Line, as an international border. Pakistan reopened the border crossing on Saturday, after the clashes stopped, allowing thousands of stranded to cross.
.