Afghanistan and Pakistan exchanged heavy fire just days after agreeing to a temporary pause, raising tensions in the region as Islamabad expressed hopes of hosting possible US-Iran talks soon. The clashes occurred on Sunday, the same day Pakistan welcomed regional leaders to discuss easing the Middle East conflict and hinted it could host negotiations in the coming days.

Officials said both sides used artillery and heavy weapons, targeting areas in Afghanistan’s Kunar province and Pakistan’s Bajaur district. Afghan authorities reported that Pakistani shelling killed one person and injured 16 others, mostly women and children. Pakistan denied targeting civilians, stating it only responded to Afghan fire and calling the claims exaggerated.

Neither side’s officials were authorized to speak publicly, and Pakistan’s military did not comment. The violence follows the worst fighting between the two countries in years last month, which caused significant casualties. Kabul alleged that over 400 people died in a Pakistani airstrike on a drug rehabilitation center in its capital, a claim Islamabad denied, saying it targeted militant infrastructure.

A ceasefire was briefly observed during Eid al-Fitr, reportedly encouraged by Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, but Pakistan ended it last week, while Afghanistan has not confirmed its current status. Pakistan continues to accuse the Afghan Taliban of supporting militants responsible for attacks inside its borders, an allegation Kabul rejects, calling it an internal issue for Pakistan.