Pakistan says it seeks no further escalation but urges Afghanistan to act against militants

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan does not seek further escalation of hostilities with Afghanistan but expects the South Asian country’s Taliban rulers to address its security concerns by taking action against militants operating from Afghan soil, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said Friday.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi’s remarks signaled an easing of tensions between the two neighbors, who earlier this month exchanged fire along the border, leaving dozens of soldiers, civilians and militants dead.

The comments came a day after Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to maintain a ceasefire following nearly weeklong negotiations facilitated by Turkey and Qatar in an effort to prevent a wider conflict in the region where al-Qaida, the Islamic State group and other groups are trying to resurface.