Blast rocks Afghanistan's capital Kabul, several dead in suspected suicide bombing attack

 

A blast in Afghan capital Kabul's Shahr-e-Naw area has left several people dead, the Taliban interior ministry said on Monday.

"According to preliminary reports, a number of people were killed and injured," Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qani told Reuters, adding that details would be released later.

A witness told Xinhua that the incident was suspected to be a bomb attack. A restaurant near the blast site was severely impacted, killing one and injuring two others. The injured have been rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.

The Shahr-e-Naw area is home to foreigners and is considered one of the most secure areas in Kabul.

A deadly explosion rocked central Kabul today, January 19, 2026, targeting a hotel and restaurant in the heavily guarded Shahr-e-Naw district.¹ The attack has resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries in what is considered one of the capital's most secure commercial areas.²

Incident Overview

• Location: The blast occurred at a hotel/restaurant on Gulforoshi Alley in the Shahr-e-Naw area (District 4), which is popular with foreigners and home to several shopping complexes and embassies.³

• Casualties: The Italian medical charity EMERGENCY reported that its surgical center received 20 casualties.⁴

  • 7 people were confirmed dead on arrival.⁵

  • 13 people were injured, including four women and one child.⁶

• Targets: Initial reports from sources like CCTV and Amu TV suggest that Chinese nationals may have been the intended target.⁷ The restaurant was reportedly jointly owned by an Afghan and a Chinese national, and was a popular spot for Chinese residents.⁸ One security guard was reportedly killed and at least two Chinese citizens were seriously injured.⁹

Official Response & Responsibility

• Taliban Authorities: Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran confirmed the explosion but stated that investigation teams are still determining the "nature" of the blast (whether it was a suicide vest, a planted IED, or a gas cylinder explosion).¹⁰

• Claim of Responsibility: As of late Monday evening, no group has officially claimed responsibility.¹¹ However, the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP) has a history of targeting foreign interests and hotels in Kabul, including similar high-profile attacks in late 2024 and 2025.

Security Context

This attack is a significant breach of the Taliban's security apparatus, as Shahr-e-Naw is one of the most monitored sectors of the city.¹² It follows a series of recent incidents that have challenged the Taliban's claims of restored national security, including a suicide bombing outside the Refugee Ministry in December 2024.¹³

Would you like me to monitor for an official claim of responsibility or provide details on the latest security protocols issued for foreigners in Kabul?

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