The Islamic State (IS) group has claimed responsibility for an explosion at a Chinese restaurant in Kabul, Afghanistan, that killed at least seven people, including a Chinese national. Afghan authorities said Tuesday that the cause of the blast is still under investigation.
IS said in a statement on its Aamaq news agency late Monday that a suicide bomber entered the restaurant, popular with Chinese nationals, and detonated an explosive vest during a gathering. The group claimed 25 people were killed or injured, including Taliban guards, though the figures could not be independently verified. The statement also issued a warning to Chinese citizens in Afghanistan, linking the attack to China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims.
Afghan Interior Ministry spokesperson Mufti Abdul Mateen Qani said the cause of the blast is being investigated. Police reported that the explosion occurred near the restaurant’s kitchen in the Shahr-e-Naw district, killing one Chinese national and six Afghans, with several others wounded. The restaurant is jointly owned by an Afghan man, a Chinese national, and his wife.
China condemned the attack, confirming one citizen dead and five wounded. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun urged Afghan authorities to protect Chinese nationals, provide medical care, and bring the perpetrators to justice. China also advised its citizens to avoid travel to Afghanistan and strengthen safety measures.
The Italian charity EMERGENCY said it treated 20 casualties from the blast, including seven dead. CCTV reported two Chinese citizens seriously injured and a security guard killed. Footage from Tolo News showed panic and smoke near the scene.
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Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the bombing, blaming the Taliban government for failing to prevent militant activities. Tajik authorities also reported killing four gunmen who crossed from Afghanistan overnight, though Afghan officials said they were drug smugglers.
The IS group has carried out several attacks in Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.