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Late Thursday evening, Kabul was shaken by at least one loud explosion, sending shockwaves through Afghanistan’s capital and raising fresh questions about regional stability. The blast happened just as the Taliban’s foreign affairs team was making a high-stakes visit to India, adding layers of tension to an already delicate diplomatic moment.
A Taliban spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, confirmed that an explosion was heard in the city but urged calm, saying the incident was under investigation and that no injuries or major damage had been reported. Later, Afghanistan’s defence authorities went further, blaming Pakistan for orchestrating the attack both in Kabul and in Paktika province.
The timing of the strike is significant. It coincided with the arrival in India of Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s foreign minister, who is on a six-day mission to strengthen ties with New Delhi. Analysts view this diplomatic outreach as part of the Taliban’s broader push for regional legitimacy and recognition.
Border relations with Pakistan have been increasingly strained in recent months. Islamabad has been critical of the Taliban, accusing Afghanistan’s rulers of harboring militant groups that target Pakistan. The Taliban deny these claims, but Thursday’s explosions have only added fuel to the fire. In response to the accusations, Pakistan neither confirmed nor denied involvement in the attacks but reiterated that it would take steps to “protect lives and property” in Pakistan if provoked.
So far, no militant group has claimed responsibility for the blasts, and confusion remains over the motive whether the explosion was a targeted strike, an air attack, or a retaliatory act. The Taliban government has pledged a full investigation and cautioned the public against spreading panic.
For now, the capital remains tense. Security forces have sealed off several zones while investigators collect debris and intelligence reports. Diplomats are on high alert as the fragile web of regional diplomacy faces yet another test.
As Kabul searches for answers, one thing is clear: the explosions have cast a shadow over the Taliban’s diplomatic efforts, turning what was meant to be a moment of international engagement into yet another reminder of Afghanistan’s deep and dangerous instability.
