Explosion at Chinese-Run Restaurant in Kabul Kills Seven

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Kabul: At least seven people were killed when an explosion struck a restaurant inside a hotel in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, officials and medical sources said, in one of the deadliest attacks in the city in recent months.

 The blast hit a Chinese restaurant in the Shahr-e-Naw district, a central commercial area that houses offices, shops and foreign-linked businesses. Emergency responders said the explosion caused extensive damage to the restaurant and nearby buildings, shattering windows and scattering debris across the street.

 Health workers at Kabul hospitals confirmed that several injured people were brought in for treatment, including women and a child. The Italian medical charity EMERGENCY reported receiving more than a dozen casualties, some of whom were in critical condition on arrival.

 Taliban security officials said an investigation is underway to determine how the attack was carried out and who was responsible. Later, the regional affiliate of the Islamic State group ISIL (ISIS) claimed responsibility, stating that the restaurant was targeted because it was frequented by Chinese nationals and China’s policies toward Uyghur Muslims and Beijing’s growing economic and diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan.

 One Chinese national was among those killed, according to Afghan authorities. No immediate statement was issued by the victim’s home country.

 Although Kabul has seen a reduction in large-scale violence since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, attacks by militant groups continue to pose a serious security challenge, particularly in areas linked to foreign interests and diplomatic activity.

Photo Credit:AFP