Pakistan's Khawaja Asif warns Taliban of 'war' if talks with Afghanistan collapse in Turkey

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif

Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif has warned that collapse in talks with Afghanistan will lead to war, just hours before resumption of negotiations between the two sides.

Asif, who was speaking to Pakistan's Geo TV on the eve of the third round of dialogue, said that Islamabad has its options open and will retaliate harshly in case talks do not lead to any resolution.

“If the negotiations fail, the situation will deteriorate further. We have our options. Considering how we are being targeted, we may respond in the same manner," he said.

When asked by the channel whether it means "war", the Pakistan minister said: "Yes ... war".

The remark comes as Pakistan’s ISI chief Lt Gen Asim Malik heads the delegation to Turkey for discussions with the Talibani leaders to reach a peace deal amid a fragile ceasefire. The talks between both the sides had collapsed earlier after Afghanistan refused to meet several demands made by the Pakistani side.

Pakistan had repeatedly urged Kabul to take strong action against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), accusing it of orchestrating attacks from Afghan soil. It has long accused Kabul of giving safe haven to TTP, which has unleashed a string of terror attacks against Pakistani security forces over the last few months.

The latest escalation erupted after Pakistan carried out airstrikes inside Afghanistan, claiming to target militants responsible for recent attacks on its security forces.

Kabul denounced the strikes as a blatant violation of its sovereignty and rejected Islamabad’s allegations of sheltering insurgents.

The 2,600-kilometre border dividing the two neighbours has long been a tinderbox, scarred by frequent clashes and mutual accusations of harbouring militants.