By Micah Jonah, January 21, 2026
A suicide bombing at a Chinese-run restaurant in Kabul’s Shahr-e-Naw district has killed seven people, including a Chinese national, injured several others, including a child.
The blast struck near the kitchen of the restaurant, which was jointly operated by a Chinese Muslim, his wife, and an Afghan partner, serving the local Chinese Muslim community. Afghan police confirmed the attack occurred in one of Kabul’s most heavily guarded areas.
Afghanistan’s ISIL affiliate claimed responsibility, stating the attack targeted Chinese citizens over alleged abuses against Uighurs in China’s Xinjiang region. Videos from the scene showed smoke and debris scattered across the street.
The NGO Emergency reported receiving 20 casualties at its surgical centre, seven of whom were dead on arrival, including four women and a child among the wounded.
Blasts in Kabul have become rarer since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, but ISIL remains active and continues sporadic attacks.
