PESHWAR: Border clashes between Pakistani and Afghan security forces broke out on Wednesday morning, officials said, killing at least one person and potentially undermining efforts by both sides to improve relations.

One Afghan border policeman was killed in the fighting near the border town of Angoor Adda, Afghan Ministry of Interior spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said in Kabul.

Pakistan’s military said two troops were injured and none were killed in the incident.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has tried to improve relations with his neighbour, saying unless the two sides work together, they will never end the war with hardline Islamist Taliban insurgents.

His overtures have drawn criticism among Afghan critics, and border clashes such as the one today threaten to raise tensions.

Afghan spokesman Sediqqi indicated that the fighting started when Pakistan attempted to build an illegal structure on the border.

“Afghan border police intervened and exchanged fire at the site. As a result, one Afghan border policeman was killed in the firing,” he said.