Kabul, Afghanistan – Multiple explosions rocked the Afghan capital of Kabul on Thursday, coinciding with a high-stakes visit by a senior Taliban minister to India, a development that has drawn international attention to the unfolding diplomatic landscape in the region.
Initial reports from local authorities indicate at least two blasts occurred in distinct areas. One explosion was reported near a bustling commercial district in the Khair Khana neighborhood, while another was heard closer to government buildings in the city center. Casualties and the extent of damage remain unconfirmed as emergency services rushed to the scenes and security forces initiated investigations. Residents reported widespread panic and the activation of air raid sirens following the blasts.
Diplomatic Overtures Amidst Security Concerns
The timing of the attacks is particularly notable as India hosts Afghanistan’s Acting Minister for Commerce, Haji Nooruddin Azizi, in New Delhi. This visit marks one of the most significant direct engagements between India and the Taliban administration since the group seized power in August 2021. Discussions are understood to center on humanitarian aid, potential trade routes, and broader regional stability initiatives, despite India not formally recognizing the Taliban government.
A spokesperson for the Taliban’s Interior Ministry, Qari Saeed Khosty, condemned the attacks. “Such acts of terror are the work of enemies seeking to destabilize our nation and will not deter the Islamic Emirate from its path of security and reconstruction,” Khosty stated. “Our security forces have launched a full investigation and will bring the perpetrators to justice.”
In New Delhi, officials remained tight-lipped regarding any immediate connection between the Kabul explosions and Minister Azizi’s visit. An Indian Ministry of External Affairs official, speaking on condition of anonymity, reiterated India’s consistent position. “Our focus remains on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and fostering regional trade and connectivity, irrespective of the internal security challenges,” the official said.
“Such acts of terror are the work of enemies seeking to destabilize our nation and will not deter the Islamic Emirate from its path of security and reconstruction. Our security forces have launched a full investigation and will bring the perpetrators to justice.”
— Qari Saeed Khosty, Taliban Interior Ministry Spokesperson
The security situation in Afghanistan has remained volatile since the Taliban takeover, with various militant groups, notably the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-K), frequently targeting civilian and government installations. The Taliban, while asserting its control, continues to face significant challenges in ensuring comprehensive security across the country.
The twin developments – renewed violence in Kabul and a rare diplomatic engagement between the Taliban and a regional power – underscore the complex and often contradictory realities shaping Afghanistan’s future and its role in regional geopolitics.
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