Afghan, Pakistan Troops Exchange Fire

Afghan and Pakistani troops exchanged fire across their border on Wednesday, officials from both sides said, blaming each other for starting the incident.

General Almar Gul Mangal, commander of the border police's fourth battalion in Afghanistan's eastern province of Khost confirmed the exchange of fire and accused Pakistani troops of sparking the battle.

"At around 11 am (0630 GMT) today, Pakistani troops in Waziristan started firing heavy and light weapons towards police posts in Gurbuz district. Our soldiers returned fire," he said.

In Pakistan's northwestern city of Peshawar, a senior military official said one Pakistani soldier had been killed and three wounded.

"Afghan forces fired several mortar shells on one of our military checkposts, leaving one soldier dead and injuring three others. We fired in retaliation. Our troops are using artillery and mortars," the official said.