Seven people were killed in an explosion outside a Chinese restaurant in Kabul’s Shahr-e-Naw, home to foreigners, on Monday, hospital authorities said.

“An explosion occurred in a hotel on Gulfaroshi Street in Shahr-e-Naw, the fourth district of Kabul city, causing casualties," AFP quoted Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran saying.

“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. Among those received were seven people dead on arrival," the NGO said in a statement.

According to Reuters, the Shahr-e-Naw area is home to foreigners and is considered one of the most secure areas in Kabul.

Afghan Times quoted sources saying the blast occurred near a Chinese restaurant, reportedly targeting a vehicle carrying Chinese officials and was allegedly carried out by rival factions within the Taliban.

Further details are awaited.

Source: News18