#JUSTIN: ISIS Claims Kabul Suicide Blast, Targeting Chinese Nationals

A devastating suicide bombing struck a popular Chinese noodle restaurant in Kabul’s bustling Shahr-e-Naw district on January 19, 2026, claiming at least seven lives and injuring more than a dozen others. The explosion, which occurred near the kitchen area around 3 pm, targeted the “Chinese Noodle” eatery jointly run by a Chinese Muslim family and an Afghan partner. Kabul police spokesperson Khalid Zadran confirmed that one Chinese national, identified as Ayub, and six Afghans were among the dead, with victims including women and children rushed to nearby medical facilities. The Italian NGO EMERGENCY reported receiving 20 casualties, seven of whom arrived deceased, while others required urgent surgical care for blast injuries.

The Afghan branch of the Islamic State (ISIS-K) swiftly claimed responsibility through its Amaq news agency, describing the attack as a deliberate suicide operation aimed at Chinese citizens. In a statement monitored by the SITE Intelligence Group, ISIS justified the strike by accusing the Chinese government of escalating crimes against Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang, placing Chinese nationals on its list of priority targets. This rhetoric aligns with the group’s longstanding narrative of exploiting global Muslim grievances to recruit and justify violence, even as it operates under heavy pressure from the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

The blast unfolded in one of Kabul’s most secure and commercial neighborhoods, home to offices, shopping complexes, embassies, and foreign eateries, underscoring persistent security vulnerabilities despite the Taliban’s 2021 takeover promises of stability. Witnesses described shattered glass littering streets and chaotic scenes as emergency responders cordoned off the area. Chinese state media noted two Chinese individuals were seriously injured, with a security guard also killed, highlighting growing risks to Chinese interests in Afghanistan amid increasing economic engagement since the Taliban assumed power.

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This incident marks the latest in a series of attacks on Chinese-linked targets in Afghanistan, reflecting ISIS-K’s determination to challenge both the Taliban and foreign influences. The group has carried out sporadic but deadly operations despite Taliban crackdowns, often framing them around international causes like the Uyghur situation to garner support. Authorities continue investigating the precise mechanism of the blast, believed to be a suicide vest detonated near the kitchen, while the Taliban interior ministry has condemned the attack without providing further details on perpetrators.

The tragedy has renewed international concern over terrorism resurgence in Afghanistan and the safety of foreign nationals, particularly those from China, which maintains diplomatic ties and business interests in the country. As investigations proceed, the event serves as a grim reminder of ongoing instability, with calls for enhanced security measures to protect civilian spaces in the capital. Community and medical teams remain focused on supporting victims and their families amid the aftermath.

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