Star Metro - Afghan-Pakistan peace talks push ahead after border clashes

The talks in Turkey were meant to cement a ceasefire agreed in Qatar last month, which ended a week of fierce clashes that killed dozens.

The neighbours were quick to blame each other for the border fire, while reiterating their commitment to negotiations.

"We have children, young boys. This is now our daily routine. It all needs to stop so we can live our lives," said Enayatullah, 30, a resident in Spin Boldak on the Afghan side who gave only one name.

Four women and a man were killed in the border town, according to a district hospital official, while AFP journalists saw damaged homes.

Across the frontier in Chaman, Pakistani labourer Muhibullah Achakzai said he was playing cricket when "things suddenly got really bad".

"There are innocent children here, and we hope the area is kept under watch for everyone's safety," the 24-year-old told AFP.

The Taliban government accused Pakistan of opening fire on Spin Boldak.

"The Islamic Emirate's forces, out of respect for the negotiation team and to prevent civilian casualties, have so far shown no reaction," spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Thursday, referring to the talks in Turkey.

Pakistan denied the accusation, saying Afghan forces fired first and its troops responded "in a measured and responsible manner".

"The situation was brought under control due to responsible action by Pakistani forces and the ceasefire remains intact," Islamabad's information ministry said, adding that Pakistan "remains committed to ongoing dialogue and expects reciprocity from Afghan authorities".

- 'Keep the war away' -

Islamabad accuses Kabul of harbouring militant groups, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) that regularly claims deadly attacks in Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban deny sheltering the group.

The "Pakistan delegation has handed over its evidence-based, justified and logical demands to the mediators with a singular aim: to put an end to cross-border terrorism", Islamabad's foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi said Friday.

An Afghan source with knowledge of the talks said Pakistan's demands, such as ensuring its internal security, "have nothing to do with Afghanistan".

"On the other hand, Pakistan does not accept the reasonable demand by the Islamic Emirate that its soil and airspace not be used by another country or by the Islamic State group," the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added.

A local branch of the Islamic State group has a foothold in eastern Afghanistan, carries out periodic attacks and remains a threat to the Taliban authorities.

Negotiations stalled last week when it came to finalising ceasefire details, with both sides accusing the other of blocking progress.

The stalemate shows tensions that were previously "simmering are now boiling", said Abdul Basit of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

"The elephant in the room is the TTP," he told AFP. "I wouldn't be surprised if the talks go south."

Both sides have warned of renewed hostilities if the process fails.

In Chaman, Abdul Habib said residents were "in great distress" after "bullets struck our houses".

"We ask the authorities to consider our situation and show sympathy towards us. May God create peace among them and bring reconciliation between them," the 61-year-old said.

The clashes in October were sparked by explosions in Kabul, killing five people, which the Taliban blamed on Pakistan.

Fifty civilians were killed and 447 wounded on the Afghan side in the ensuing fighting, according to the United Nations.

Pakistan's army said 23 of its soldiers were killed and 29 others wounded, without mentioning civilian casualties.

While residents told AFP Thursday's violence lasted 10 to 15 minutes, fears of escalation remain.

"We ask both governments to pay attention to us," said Noor Mohammed, a 35-year-old resident of Spin Boldak.

"To agree on a truce, and to keep the war away from us."

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L.Pelletier--SMC