However, the timing of the attack, just when the foreign minister of Afghanistan, Amir Khan Muttaqi, is on an eight-day visit to India starting Oct 9, is conspicuous.
Muttaqi is scheduled to hold separate talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval. The blast struck before 10 pm local time in the area of Abdul Haq Square. Security forces have sealed off the site.
Read more: US Dept of War: No new AMRAAM missiles for Pakistan
The Taliban government’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said there were no reports of injuries or damage.
“An explosion was heard in Kabul city,” he posted on X.
“But don’t worry, it’s all good and well. The accident is under investigation, and no injuries have been reported yet. So far there is no report of any harm done.”
Former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad expressed concerns over the strike
“Today’s Pakistani strikes against Afghanistan’s capital are a huge escalation and pose dangerous risks. In recent days, Taliban operatives have been active in Pakistan attacking ISIS and killing a number of its leaders. The Pakistanis have been recklessly backing ISIS operatives against Afghanistan and their own Baluch nationalist insurgency. The Afghans, in turn, have been permissive towards the TTP, the Pakistani Taliban. Military escalation between Pakistan and Afghanistan is not the answer. It is unlikely to work and will increase death and destruction in both countries. There is an alternative with better prospects: negotiations between Kabul and Islamabad to deal with the terrorist sanctuaries on both sides of the Durand line,” he posted on X.
First Published: Oct 10, 2025 9:35 AM IS
