Beijing Lodges Strong Protest After ISIS Attack on Chinese Restaurant in Kabul

China has lodged a strong protest with Afghan authorities following a deadly explosion outside a Chinese restaurant in Kabul that killed one Chinese national and injured several others. The incident occurred a day before Beijing reiterated its advisory urging Chinese citizens to avoid travel to Afghanistan in the near future.

Addressing a regular press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China had formally raised the issue with Afghanistan, demanding urgent medical treatment for the injured, enhanced security measures for Chinese citizens, projects, and institutions, and a swift investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Guo added that officials from the Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan have visited the hospital where the injured are receiving treatment to convey condolences and support.

China strongly condemned the attack, reiterating its firm opposition to terrorism in all forms. The spokesperson said Beijing supports Afghanistan and regional countries in their joint efforts to combat terrorist violence. In view of the prevailing security situation, the Chinese Foreign Ministry once again advised its citizens not to travel to Afghanistan in the near future, and urged those already in the country to heighten security awareness, strengthen protective measures, and leave high-risk areas as soon as possible.

Multiple reports on Tuesday stated that the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) has claimed responsibility for the suicide attack. According to UK-based Afghan media outlet Afghanistan International, the blast took place at a Chinese restaurant in Kabul’s Shahr-e-Naw district on Monday afternoon. Taliban authorities confirmed that seven people, including a Chinese national, were killed, while 13 others sustained injuries.

The ISIS-affiliated Amaq news agency claimed that a suicide bomber detonated explosives inside the restaurant, where Chinese nationals and their security personnel were present. The group alleged that the attack resulted in casualties among Afghan civilians and Taliban members assigned to protect the premises. While ISIS did not provide independent verification of casualty figures, it claimed that a total of 25 people were either killed or wounded.

Local media reports further stated that ISIS described the targeting of Chinese citizens as a protest against what it referred to as China’s policy toward Uyghur Muslims.

With inputs from IANS