Seven killed in Kabul hotel explosion: details of attack targeting foreign nationals
A horrific security incident struck the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Monday, resulting in numerous casualties. A powerful explosion targeted a hotel located in a busy commercial area in the city center. Medical and security sources confirmed that at least seven people were killed and others sustained injuries of varying severity in an attack that underscores the security challenges facing Afghanistan.
Casualty figures and details of the attack
The Italian NGO Emergency, which runs a specialized surgical center for war victims in Kabul, reported receiving 20 people following the explosion in the upscale Shahr-e-Naw district. The organization stated that seven of these victims arrived at the hospital already deceased, while 13 others, including four women and a child, are receiving treatment, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the attack.
The explosion occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m. local time (11:00 GMT), according to local witnesses. AFP quoted a flower shop owner in the area as saying he heard a "loud bang" that caused panic among passersby and residents, adding that he saw at least five people injured in the immediate aftermath.
Targeting foreign nationals and the commercial area
The targeted hotel is located on Golfaroshi Street in the Shahr-e-Naw district, a bustling area with restaurants and shops and a major commercial hub in the fourth district of the capital. Meanwhile, the official Chinese news agency Xinhua reported that the explosion seriously injured two Chinese nationals and killed an Afghan security guard, suggesting the attack may have targeted foreign interests or nationals staying at the hotel.
Security context and current challenges
This attack comes at a time when the Taliban government has been trying to establish security and stability in the country since it seized power in August 2021. Although the overall level of violence has decreased compared to previous years of war, the capital Kabul and other cities still witness sporadic attacks, often claimed by the anti-Taliban group ISIS-Khorasan, targeting religious minorities or places frequented by diplomats and foreign businessmen.
This type of attack poses a major challenge to the de facto authorities in Afghanistan, who are trying hard to reassure the international community and foreign investors – including China, which has maintained a diplomatic and commercial presence in the country – of their ability to maintain security and protect foreign missions and visitors.
security response
Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran confirmed the explosion and casualties, while Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Matin Qaani indicated that security forces were on high alert. A heavy security presence was observed around the hotel and a nearby hospital, where security forces cordoned off the area and launched an investigation to determine the circumstances of the incident and the perpetrators, amid fears of a recurrence of such security breaches in sensitive areas of the capital.
