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

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the clash happened on the night of April 5-6 when the movement of militants trying to infiltrate Pakistan were discovered. Security forces responded quickly, led to an intense firefighter who lasted for several hours.

“The infiltrators were effectively engaged, resulting in eight Khawarij eliminated and four critically wounded,” the ISPR declaration reads, adding that the wounded militants withdrew across the border with Afghanistan.

Pakistan has repeatedly called on the preliminary Afghan government to strengthen the border administration and prevent its territory from being used as a base to launch attacks against Pakistan.

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

Pakistan’s security forces remain obliged to secure the nation’s borders and remove the threat of terrorism, the ISPR concluded.