Defence Minister Khawaja Asif delivered Pakistan's sternest warning yet to the Taliban regime on Wednesday, declaring that Islamabad would not hesitate to strike "deep into Afghanistan" if Kabul failed to rein in militants using its soil for attacks across the border.

India on Thursday backed Afghanistan amid the country’s stalled peace talks with Pakistan aimed at resolving spiralling tensions that led to border clashes, with New Delhi saying that Islamabad had been angered by Kabul’s efforts to exercise sovereignty over its territories.

India threw its weight behind Afghanistan in the face of its border conflict with Pakistan and said Islamabad's efforts to "practice" cross-border terrorism with "impunity" is unacceptable to its neighbours.

He acknowledged the Afghan delegation’s effort during negotiations but accused Kabul’s leadership of derailing the talks under India’s pressure.

The Taliban government accuses Pakistan of bombing Kabul and a market in eastern Afghanistan. A blast occurred Thursday night in Kabul near key government buildings.

ISLAMABAD/ISTANBUL: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Tuesday revealed that an agreement with Afghanistan was “within reach” during the second round of Istanbul talks but was derailed several times after the Afghan negotiators “backpedaled” following instructions from Kabul.

ISLAMABAD: The construction of dams or barrages by Afghanistan on the Kabul River system could significantly affect Pakistan’s water availability during the critical early Kharif

The Taliban say an investigation is underway after an explosion in the Afghan capital, Kabul. Thursday night's explosion hit the area of Abdul Haq Square, which is near several ministries and the General Directorate of Intelligence.

KABUL (Reuters) -Eight-year-old Noorullah and his twin, Sanaullah, spend their days hauling yellow jerrycans on a wheelbarrow through Kabul's dusty alleys instead of going to school - an ordeal for

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif accused Kabul of acting as a tool for Delhi, warning that if Afghanistan attacks Islamabad, Pakistan's response would be 50 times stronger, after peace talks collapsed.