Afghan-Pakistan peace talks push ahead after border clashes

SPIN BOLDAK (Afghanistan), Nov 07 (AFP): Afghan and Pakistani negotiators were locked in crunch peace talks in Istanbul on Friday after deadly border fighting threatened a fragile truce.

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 South Asian neighbours were quick to blame each other for the renewed 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 Afghan border town. In Chaman across the frontier in Pakistan, 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."