Kabul, July 1 (IANS) At least eight Pakistani soldiers were killed in a clash that erupted after a border violation in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, an official said on Wednesday.

“The skirmish occurred in Barmal district of the province late Tuesday,” Khaama press quoted Sediq Sediqi, interior ministry spokesman, as saying in a news conference here.
Sediqi said Pakistani soldiers wanted to establish military installations inside Afghanistan but Afghan forces attempted to prevent them from causing a border violation.
He added that the dispute was followed by a deadly clash between the two sides leaving eight Pakistani soldiers dead.
The spokesman said one Afghan soldier died in the clash.
The report said this was not the first time Pakistan has tried to violate the border and occupy Afghan land. On several occasions, they have tried to establish military installations inside Afghan territory but Afghan forces have prevented them.

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