Islamic militants tried to blow up an ancient statue of Buddha carved into a mountainside in northwestern Pakistan, but failed to damage the structure, officials and witnesses said.
The United States said Pakistan needed a "democratic political transition" on Wednesday after President Pervez Musharraf's government blocked former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's return from exile.
US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte arrived in Pakistan for talks on Wednesday amid a political crisis and growing Islamic militancy that threatens President Pervez Musharraf.
Shahid Afridi took four wickets in Pakistan's 51-run victory over Scotland on Wednesday.
Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden is more popular in Pakistan than President Pervez Musharraf, according to a poll released Wednesday.
Allies of Pakistan's military ruler blocked an opposition leader, Imran Khan, from entering the country's biggest city Wednesday, two days after the government sent a former prime minister back into exile.
About 200 pro-Taliban militants attacked a paramilitary post in northwest Pakistan on Wednesday and captured 12 soldiers, an official said, in the latest incident of spiraling violence in the region.
Scotland face India in the World Twenty20 this evening with captain Ryan Watson hoping his side can learn lessons from yesterday's loss to Pakistan.
Suspected militants attacked a security checkpoint in northwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, abducting 18 police officers and injuring two others, officials said.
Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul take four wickets each as Pakistan beat Scotland by 51 runs in the World Twenty20.