Afghanistan’s Minister of Information and Culture, Shar Ahmad Haqqani, said on Wednesday that Afghans are not intimidated by external pressure or military attacks, arguing that the country has already prevailed against opponents with superior weapons and technology.

Speaking at a seminar on intellectual, ideological and professional capacity building for journalists, Haqqani said Afghanistan had endured years of conflict and would not be deterred by threats.

“To those who killed our children in their sleep through cruel bombings, it must be said that we do not fear bombings and hardships. We defeated those who were more equipped than you in modern technology and weapons,” he said.

Haqqani added that the Afghan people remain steadfast despite ongoing challenges.

“We are neither afraid nor defeated,” he said.

The remarks were delivered during a training seminar for journalists focused on strengthening intellectual, ideological and professional capacity within Afghanistan’s media sector.

Uzbekistan and Qatar have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation and supporting Afghanistan’s sustainable development following talks between senior officials in Tashkent.

According to a statement from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the country’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ismatulla Irgashev, met with Qatar’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Hassan Hamza Hashim, on June 30 to discuss regional cooperation and developments related to Afghanistan.

The discussions focused on strengthening collaboration in trade, investment, transport and logistics, as well as cultural and humanitarian initiatives aimed at supporting Afghanistan’s long-term socio-economic recovery. The two officials also exchanged views on regional issues and explored ways to enhance coordination on matters concerning Afghanistan.

During the meeting, the Qatari delegation praised Uzbekistan’s continued efforts to assist Afghanistan’s reconstruction and economic development, highlighting Tashkent’s growing role in promoting regional dialogue, connectivity and stability.

According to the Uzbek Foreign Ministry, Qatar expressed appreciation for Uzbekistan’s “consistent efforts to support Afghanistan’s socio-economic recovery” and recognized the country’s important contribution to advancing regional stability and development.

Uzbekistan has increasingly sought to engage with Afghanistan through infrastructure projects, trade initiatives and humanitarian assistance, maintaining that the country’s economic recovery is essential for lasting security and prosperity across Central Asia.

The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening Uzbekistan-Qatar relations, expanding practical cooperation on regional issues, and maintaining regular dialogue on Afghanistan. They also expressed their readiness to continue working together to promote peace, sustainable economic development and greater regional connectivity.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense says the Afghan Air Force carried out airstrikes on what it described as joint ISIS and “mischief and corruption” centers in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

According to a statement issued by the ministry, one of the strikes targeted a joint ISIS and “mischief and corruption” center in the Saranan area of Pishin district in Balochistan.

The ministry said the facility had been used to organize sabotage operations and attacks inside Afghanistan and served as a coordination center for bombardments in which Afghan civilians were targeted.

In separate operations, the Afghan Air Force also struck an ISIS center in the Qamber Khel area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and another joint ISIS and “mischief and corruption” center in the Garm Chashma area of the Shah Salim Valley in Chitral.

According to the Ministry of Defense, the sites were also being used to plan sabotage operations and attacks against civilians.

The ministry said preliminary information indicates the strikes inflicted heavy casualties and significant material losses on ISIS members, the “mischief and corruption” network, and their supporters.

It added that the operations were carried out with a high degree of precision against their intended targets and that no civilian casualties were reported.

The Ministry of Defense said Afghanistan’s Air Defense Forces will continue to target any location used to threaten the country’s security.