Blast kills seven at Chinese-run restaurant in Afghan capital

The IS terror group has claimed responsibility for targetting a Chinese-run restaurant in a heavily guarded part of Afghanistan's capital, killing seven and injuring several more.

Monday's blast took place in Shahr-e-Naw area, considered to be one of the safest neighbourhoods in the city, police spokesperson Khalid Zadran said.

In a statement, the Afghan branch of IS terror group said the attack was carried out by its bomber.

The restaurant was jointly run by a Chinese national, Abdul Majid, his wife, and an Afghan partner, Abdul Jabbar Mahmood.

"The nature of the explosion is unknown so far and is being investigated," he said.

A Chinese national, identified only as Ayub, and six Afghans were killed in the blast near the restaurant's kitchen, while several others were injured, Zadran added.

The Amaq news agency said the domestic arm of the IS had put Chinese citizens on its list of targets.

CHINA REQUESTS INVESTIGATION, PROTECTION OF NATIONALS

The blast injured five Chinese nationals, and China has requested that Afghanistan spare no effort to treat the injured, Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, said at a press briefing on Tuesday.

China also requested that Afghanistan take effective measures to protect the safety of its citizens and investments, and investigate, Guo said.

On Monday, videos shared on social media showed smoke billowing from a large hole torn in the facade of the restaurant building, while debris littered the street outside. "We have received 20 people at our hospital," Dejan Panic, the Afghanistan director of humanitarian group EMERGENCY, said in a statement, adding that seven were dead on arrival.