Several people have been killed and injured in an explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital, according to the Taliban-run Interior Ministry, in an incident that has shaken one of the city’s most secure neighbourhoods.

The blast occurred on Monday in the Shahr-e-Naw district, an area known for housing foreign organisations, medical facilities, and commercial centres, and long regarded as among the safest parts of Kabul.

Authorities Confirm Casualties, Investigation Underway

Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qani confirmed the incident in comments to the Reuters news agency, saying that casualties had been reported but that the full scale of the damage was still being assessed.

“According to preliminary reports, a number of people were killed and injured,” Qani said, adding that further details would be released later.

Afghan authorities said they were investigating the cause of the explosion, but no immediate claim of responsibility has been made.

Hospital Receives Victims, Death Toll Still Provisional

The Italian medical NGO EMERGENCY, which operates a surgical centre in Kabul, said its facility received 20 victims from the blast.

In a statement, the organisation confirmed that seven people were dead on arrival, while others were treated for injuries of varying severity.

“Twenty people have been received at EMERGENCY’s Surgical Centre in Kabul following an explosion this afternoon in the Shahr-e-Naw area, near the hospital,” the NGO said.

“Among those received were seven people dead on arrival. The figures remain provisional.”

Medical workers cautioned that casualty numbers could change as more information becomes available.

Videos Show Debris and Damage

Footage shared by Afghan broadcaster Tolo News showed streets in Shahr-e-Naw covered in dust, debris, and damaged vehicles in the aftermath of the explosion. Emergency responders were seen cordoning off the area as civilians gathered nearby.

Witnesses reported hearing a loud blast, followed by confusion and panic as people fled the scene.

Security Situation in Kabul

Large-scale attacks in Kabul and across Afghanistan have become less frequent since the Taliban returned to power following the United States withdrawal in 2021. However, security incidents have not disappeared entirely.

Armed groups affiliated with ISIL (ISIS) remain active in the country and have carried out sporadic attacks, often targeting urban centres, religious gatherings, or areas associated with foreign presence.

In 2025, Afghanistan experienced two suicide attacks, underscoring the continued security challenges despite Taliban assurances that stability has improved nationwide.

Shahr-e-Naw: A Rare Target

The Shahr-e-Naw neighbourhood is widely considered a low-risk area compared with other parts of Kabul, making Monday’s explosion particularly alarming. The district hosts embassies, international organisations, restaurants, and medical facilities, and is heavily patrolled by security forces.

Analysts note that attacks in such areas, while rare, are often intended to send a symbolic message about the limits of security in the capital.

Awaiting Further Details

As of Monday evening, officials had not disclosed whether the blast was caused by an improvised explosive device, a targeted attack, or an accident. No group has claimed responsibility.

Authorities said updates would be provided as investigations continue and casualty figures are verified.