Afghanistan: Suicide Jihad Attack at Chinese Restaurant Kills at Least Seven

Image: Jihad Watch

The Islamic State (IS) group has claimed responsibility for a deadly explosion at a Chinese-owned restaurant in Kabul, an attack that left at least seven people dead, including a Chinese national, and injured more than a dozen others. The blast underscores the persistent security threats facing foreign nationals in Afghanistan despite Taliban assurances of stability.

According to a statement released late Monday through Aamaq, the Islamic State’s propaganda outlet, a suicide bomber entered the restaurant—known to be popular among Chinese visitors and residents—before detonating an explosive vest inside the premises. The restaurant was located in the Shahr-e-Naw district, a relatively busy commercial area of the Afghan capital.

Afghan police spokesperson Khalid Zadran confirmed that the victims included one Chinese citizen and six Afghan nationals. Several others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals. Zadran also noted that the restaurant was jointly owned by an Afghan businessman, a Chinese national, and his wife, making it a visible symbol of growing Chinese commercial presence in the country.

In the aftermath of the attack, China issued a strong advisory urging its citizens to avoid travel to Afghanistan in the near term. Chinese authorities also instructed individuals and companies currently operating in the country to enhance security precautions and withdraw personnel from high-risk locations where possible.

“China strongly condemns and resolutely opposes terrorism in all its forms,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said during a regular press briefing in Beijing. He added that China supports Afghanistan and regional countries in jointly combating violent extremist activities and safeguarding civilian lives.

The Islamic State’s claim of responsibility was widely circulated by its supporters online and included an explicit threat against Chinese nationals in Afghanistan. The group attempted to justify the attack by linking it to China’s policies toward Uyghur Muslims, a narrative it has used repeatedly to target Chinese interests abroad.

The incident highlights the continued challenge faced by the Taliban-led government in preventing attacks by IS, which remains one of its most aggressive and ideologically opposed adversaries. It also raises fresh concerns over the safety of foreign investments and personnel in Afghanistan, particularly as China seeks to expand its economic and strategic footprint in the region.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)