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Gunfire on Thai-Cambodian border Gunfire on Thai-Cambodian border
(about 4 hours later)
Troops from Thailand and Cambodia have exchanged fire in a border area that both countries claim, officials say. Troops from Thailand and Cambodia have exchanged heavy gunfire in a disputed border area, officials say.
The incident happened early on Friday near the ancient temple of Preah Vihear, which has been the scene of sporadic clashes in recent months. It was the second exchange of fire on Friday near the ancient temple of Preah Vihear, which has been the scene of sporadic clashes in recent months.
A Cambodian spokesman said troops opened fire when Thai soldiers entered their territory. Officials could not confirm a report that two Cambodian soldiers had died.
There were no reports of injuries. A Thai military official said it had been a "misunderstanding". A Cambodian spokesman said troops first opened fire when Thai soldiers entered their territory. A Thai official called it a "misunderstanding".
The BBC's Guy Delauney in Phnom Penh says the clashes come just days ahead of fresh talks between the two sides.
The Cambodia-Thailand Joint Border Committee is expected to hold three days of talks over the dispute in the Cambodian resort town of Siem Reap, starting on Sunday.
Landmine injury
The first, brief exchange of fire took place early on Friday.
"The armed clash began when Thai soldiers entered Cambodian territory. We fired rockets at the Thai soldiers," Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan told Reuters news agency."The armed clash began when Thai soldiers entered Cambodian territory. We fired rockets at the Thai soldiers," Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan told Reuters news agency.
TEMPLE DISPUTE TIMELINE 1962: International court awards temple to Cambodia, but surrounding land remains undesignated1970s-1990s: Khmer Rouge guerrillas occupy site2001-2002: Thai troops block access over water rowJuly 2008: Unesco lists temple as a World Heritage SiteJuly 2008: Thai FM quits after court rules he violated constitution for backing Cambodia's Unesco bidJuly 2008: Both sides move troops to temple areaOct 2008: Troops exchange fire, leaving two Cambodian soldiers dead
Seni Chittakasem, governor of Sisaket province in Thailand, said the incident happened inside the disputed area.Seni Chittakasem, governor of Sisaket province in Thailand, said the incident happened inside the disputed area.
"There is no report of loss [of life] on the Thai side and it's ended now," AFP news agency quoted him as saying."There is no report of loss [of life] on the Thai side and it's ended now," AFP news agency quoted him as saying.
The fighting appeared to have started after a Thai patrol visited the site where a Thai soldier was injured after stepping on a landmine on Thursday.
"After talks between the two sides failed, the Cambodian side started to walk away and turned back to open fire at Thai troops with rifles and RPG rockets, forcing the Thai side to fire back in self-defence," said a statement from Thailand's foreign ministry.
"It was an accident, a misunderstanding among officials on the ground, which is common when you are closely positioned," said Thai Defense Minister Pravit Wongsuwan.
The second exchange reportedly involved the use of artillery.
Cambodian authorities said they could not confirm reports of two soldiers being killed. Thailand denied it had taken any casualties.
An international court awarded Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia in 1962, but the land surrounding it remains the subject of rival territorial claims.An international court awarded Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia in 1962, but the land surrounding it remains the subject of rival territorial claims.
Soldiers from the two countries have been stationed in the area since tensions increased in July last year. Two Cambodian soldiers were killed at the site in October in a gun battle.Soldiers from the two countries have been stationed in the area since tensions increased in July last year. Two Cambodian soldiers were killed at the site in October in a gun battle.
Last week, Cambodia accused Thai troops of crossing over briefly into its territory.Last week, Cambodia accused Thai troops of crossing over briefly into its territory.
On Thursday, a Thai soldier was injured after stepping on a landmine at the site, which was probably left over from the Khmer Rouge era.