Chicago – January 20, 2026
A powerful explosion ripped through a Chinese-operated restaurant located inside a hotel in one of Kabul’s most heavily secured districts, killing at least seven people and injuring several others, including a child, Afghan officials confirmed.
The blast occurred on Monday in the Shahr-e-Naw neighborhood, a commercial hub in Afghanistan’s capital known for housing embassies, office buildings, and shopping centers. Authorities consider the area among the safest parts of the city, according to Kabul police spokesperson Khalid Zadran.
The targeted restaurant was a Chinese noodle establishment jointly managed by a Chinese Muslim businessman, Abdul Majid, his wife, and an Afghan partner, Abdul Jabbar Mahmood. The venue primarily served members of the Chinese Muslim community living in Kabul.
Police said the explosion originated near the kitchen area. One Chinese national, identified as Ayub, was killed along with six Afghan citizens. Several others sustained injuries in the attack.
The Afghan branch of ISIL (ISIS) later claimed responsibility, stating the explosion was carried out by a suicide bomber. In a statement released through its Amaq news agency, the group said Chinese citizens were among its designated targets, citing alleged actions by the Chinese government against Uighur Muslims.
The attack highlights ongoing security challenges in Kabul, even within districts previously considered well-protected, and raises concerns over the safety of foreign nationals in Afghanistan.
