A powerful explosion struck a hotel in Kabul’s Shahr-e-Naw district on Monday, leaving several people dead and injured, according to Afghan officials.
Police spokesperson Khalid Zadran confirmed the blast occurred in the heart of the capital, while Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani said casualties were reported but exact figures remain undisclosed.
The hotel, located in one of Kabul’s busiest and supposedly safest areas, is surrounded by offices, embassies, and retail centers. Eyewitness footage aired by Tolo News showed smoke and dust rising from the site, filmed from inside a passing car.
Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the explosion. No group has claimed responsibility so far, though the local branch of Islamic State has carried out similar attacks in the past.
Despite Taliban assurances of improved security since their takeover in 2021, such incidents continue to highlight vulnerabilities in the Afghan capital. Investigations into the blast are ongoing.
