At least seven people, including one Chinese national, were killed in an explosion at a restaurant in downtown Kabul on Monday, according to Taliban Police.
Kabul Taliban police spokesman Khalid Zadran said the blast occurred at a joint Chinese-Afghan restaurant known as Chinese Noodle, located in the Shahr-e-Naw area of Kabul. Several other people were wounded in the incident and were taken to hospital for treatment.
Zadran said the restaurant was operated by a Chinese Muslim national, Abdul Majid, along with his wife and an Afghan partner identified as Abdul Jabbar Mahmoud. Abdul Majid is from China`s Xinjiang region, and the restaurant was known for serving dishes catering to Chinese Muslim customers.
According to Taliban police, a Chinese national named Ayub, also a Muslim, and six Afghan citizens were killed in the blast. The explosion reportedly occurred near the restaurant`s kitchen area.
Taliban said the cause of the explosion has not yet been determined. Security forces have sealed off the area and launched an investigation to establish the nature of the blast and whether it was accidental or deliberate.
Taliban said further details will be released once investigations are completed.
