AFP journalists near the key Torkham border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan heard gunfire and shelling on Friday, as the neighbours engaged in deadly fighting.
Incoming shelling was heard from the Afghan side of the border from around 9:30 am (0500 GMT), before cross-border clashes resumed, while gunfire was heard in the distance.

One of the journalists saw more Afghan soldiers heading towards the frontier, before he was told to leave the area by the security forces.

The Torkham crossing has remained open for Afghans returning en masse from Pakistan, despite the land border being largely shut since fighting between the neighbours in October.

The Omari camp that accommodates returnees near the crossing was hit by the fighting overnight, prompting people to flee.

“Children, women, and old people were running,” said Gander Khan, a 65-year-old returnee, standing in front of rows of tents.

“Here, nearby, a bullet (explosives) hit. I saw blood, it wounded two or three children, and two or three women,” he told AFP.