Pakistan’s security forces killed eight militants and injured four others in a gunfight near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the military’s media wing said on Sunday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the clash occurred on the night of April 5-6 when the movement of militants attempting to infiltrate Pakistan was detected. Security forces swiftly responded, leading to an intense firefight that lasted several hours.

“The infiltrators were effectively engaged, resulting in eight Khawarij eliminated and four critically injured,” the ISPR statement read, adding that the wounded militants retreated across the border into Afghanistan.

Pakistan has repeatedly called on the interim Afghan government to strengthen border management and prevent its territory from being used as a base for launching attacks against Pakistan.

“The interim Afghan government is expected to fulfil its obligations and deny the use of its territory by militants,” the statement emphasized.

Pakistan’s security forces remain committed to securing the nation’s borders and eliminating the threat of terrorism, the ISPR concluded.