India criticises Pakistan, calls abduction of Afghan envoy's daughter shocking

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that India was forced to react because Pakistan Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed had dragged the country into the matter.

Ahmed has denied the abduction, saying it was an "international racket" led by India's external intelligence agency to defame Pakistan.

"This is of course a shocking incident. This involves two other countries viz. Afghanistan and Pakistan, and usually we would not comment on it.

However, since the Interior Minister of Pakistan has dragged India into it, I would only like to say that even by their standards, Pakistan’s denial of the victim’s account is stooping to a new low, " Bagchi said referring to last week's incident.

Unidentified men abducted and assaulted Selsela Alikhil, daughter of Afghan ambassador Najibullah Alikhil, in Islamabad on July 16.

The MEA spokesperson said India stood beside Afghanistan to ensure the “peaceful” future of the country.

“As a contiguous neighbour, India supports the government and the people of Afghanistan in realising their aspirations for a peaceful, democratic and prosperous future where the interests of all sections of Afghan society, including women and minorities, are protected,” Bagchi said.

India has pulled out personnel from its Kandahar mission, shutting down operations temporarily.

Reports from the conflict-wracked country said there is heavy fighting taking place between Afghan security forces and the Taliban.

Battles have been reported in Helmand, Kapisa, Kunduz, Takhar, Badakhshan, Logar, Kandahar and Jawzjan provinces, according to Tolo news.