The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the killing of a Chinese mine worker in Afghanistan’s northern Takhar province.
IS Behind The Attack
The regional chapter of IS owned responsibility for the killing, in a post on its Telegram channel late on Wednesday.
The IS said that it had targeted a vehicle carrying the Chinese citizen.
The attack led to his death and damaged his vehicle.
Who Killed The Chinese National?
The Chinese citizen was travelling on Tuesday evening in northern Takhar province bordering Tajikistan when he was killed by “unknown armed men”, provincial police spokesman Mohammad Akbar Haqqani said.
He further said that a translator travelling with the man was unharmed.
Haqqani said that the man was travelling “for an unknown reason” and without notifying security officials who typically accompany Chinese nationals on trips in the country.
China Asks Afghanistan To Bring Perpetrators To Justice
China’s Foreign Ministry has condemned the killing of its national in Afghanistan and called for strong efforts in fighting Islamic State.
“We are deeply shocked, and strongly condemn it,” said Mao Ning, spokesperson for the foreign ministry.
China has asked Afghanistan to conduct serious investigations and bring the perpetrators to justice, Mao told a regular Press briefing.
Preliminary Investigation
Afghan police in the province had said on Wednesday that a Chinese citizen was murdered and a preliminary investigation had been launched.
At that time, it was not clear who was behind the attack.
China Was The First Country To Appoint An Envoy An Afghanistan
Notably, China was the first country to appoint an ambassador to Afghanistan under the Taliban and has said that it wants to boost trade and investment ties.
The Taliban took over in 2021, vowing to restore security to the war-torn nation.
Previous Attacks On Chinese Nationals
In 2022, at least five Chinese nationals were injured when gunmen stormed a Kabul hotel popular with Beijing businessmen.
The Islamic State-Khorasan, also known as ISKP had claimed responsibility for this attack.
The Isis-K is an offshoot of the central Isis core group.
Attack During 70th Anniversary Of Establishment Of Diplomatic Ties
The attack has happened at a time when China and Afghanistan are marking the 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties.
The attack happened only a day after Chinese and Afghan officials gathered in Kabul for an event to mark this milestone.
Claim Of Peace And Security In Afghanistan
“I would like to assure my Chinese friends that there is peace and security in Afghanistan,” Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai told the gathering.
“We invite Chinese businessmen and investors to come and invest in Afghanistan with confidence,” Stanekzai said.
China Too Talks Of Mutual Trust
A news report datelined Kabul, January 22, in Xinhua, the official State news agency of China, ran a headline “70 years of friendship builds solid foundation of mutual trust between China, Afghanistan.”
The news report quoted Zhao Xing, Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan, as saying, “Looking to the next 70 years, China is willing to join hands with Afghanistan to pursue development and prosperity, promote regional peace and security, and foster mutual learning and cultural exchange.”
(With inputs from Reuters)
