Afghanistan's Minister of Information and Culture, Shar Ahmad Haqqani, issued a stark warning to Pakistan on Wednesday, 1 July, declaring that Afghans are not intimidated by military pressure or aerial bombardment, and that Kabul has already defeated adversaries with far superior weapons and technology. His remarks came on the same day Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence claimed its air forces had conducted retaliatory strikes on alleged ISIS-linked targets inside Pakistani territory.

Haqqani's Warning

Speaking at a seminar on intellectual, ideological, and professional capacity building for journalists, Haqqani directed pointed remarks at those he accused of targeting Afghan civilians. '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, according to Ariana News.

Haqqani further stated, 'We are neither afraid nor defeated,' stressing that the Afghan people remain steadfast despite years of conflict and ongoing external pressure.

Afghan Airstrikes Inside Pakistan

Earlier on Wednesday, Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence said its air forces had carried out strikes on Tuesday night targeting what it described as ISIS facilities in Pakistan's Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

According to the ministry's statement, strikes were conducted in the Saranan area of Pishin district, Balochistan, on what it called an 'ISIS joint centre' used for planning attacks and coordinating bombings against Afghan civilians. Additional strikes were reportedly carried out in the Qambar Khel area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Garam Chashma area of the Shah Salim Valley in Chitral, targeting further alleged Daesh centres.

The ministry claimed the strikes inflicted 'heavy casualties and significant financial losses' on ISIS and its supporters, and said attacks were conducted with 'high precision' causing no civilian casualties. It added a direct warning: 'Afghan air defence forces will target any location used to disrupt Afghanistan's security.'

Background: Pakistan Strikes That Killed 36 Civilians

The Afghan military's action came just days after Pakistani military airstrikes on 28 June killed 36 civilians — including women and children — and injured 163 others in Afghanistan's Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar provinces. Three residential houses were completely destroyed in those strikes, according to Taliban Deputy Spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat, who confirmed the toll on Monday.

This comes amid a sharp escalation in tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan over recent months, marked by repeated cross-border exchanges of fire and mounting concerns over civilian casualties on both sides.

What Happens Next

With Kabul now conducting airstrikes on Pakistani soil and senior Afghan officials issuing open warnings, the risk of further escalation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border is significant. The international community has yet to formally respond to either the Pakistani strikes or the Afghan retaliatory action. Analysts will be watching whether Islamabad responds militarily or seeks diplomatic de-escalation through back-channel engagement.