Clashes erupted between the Pakistani army and Afghan security forces at several locations along the border in Kurram district, in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to the Associated Press.

The news agency cited Pakistani officials as saying that the army had destroyed positions held by Afghan security forces using artillery, while Afghan forces opened fire toward the Pakistani side of the border.

The escalation comes amid a rise in armed attacks in border areas. Islamabad accuses the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) of launching attacks from Afghan territory, allegations that the government in Kabul denies.