Pakistan condemns Kabul bombing as ISIS claims responsibility

KABUL: The ISIS militant group has claimed responsibility for a bombing that occurred on Monday in the Shar-e-Naw area of Kabul city. In the attack, one Chinese national and six Afghans, were killed and several others were injured, including a child. According to a report by Reuters, the explosion took place inside a restaurant, causing damage to the building as well. No further details have been released regarding the health condition of the injured or the extent of the financial damage. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the families of the victims. In a statement released by the President’s office, he emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of foreign nationals and personnel and called for the full implementation of the Doha Agreement. On the other hand, the Taliban has stated that ISIS hideouts are located in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, from where armed terrorists are sent to Afghanistan and other countries. The incident coincided with clashes between Taliban and Pakistani forces along the Durand Line in the Maiwand district of Kandahar province over the extension of barbed wire. Local sources report that there were no casualties for the Afghan side, but both parties exchanged light and heavy gunfire. As of now, there have been no official statements from either side concerning the clashes.