At Least Three Dead After Taliban Bombing at French Restaurant in Kabul

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A bombing attack claimed by the Taliban killed at least three people and injured many more on Friday at a Kabul restaurant popular with Afghan officials and foreign diplomats.

Three people were thought to be involved in the attack, one of which died in the blast, a second who was arrested in police uniform, and a third who appears to have escaped, according to Kabul police.

The explosion targeted Le Jardin, a popular French restaurant frequented by wealthy Afghans and foreigners. A guest house used by foreigners is also adjacent to the restaurant. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the bombing, saying the restaurant was "frequently used by occupying forces."

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A young girl and a guard at the restaurant were two of the people killed, police said. The Afghan Health Ministry confirmed that civilians living nearby were injured. Afghan security forces have cordoned off the area.

The explosion came days after the Taliban claimed responsibility for a suicide attack near Kabul airport that killed one person and wounded 33 others, the latest in a series of suicide attacks in the city.

The attacks have coincided with efforts to revive the stalled peace process with the Taliban that broke down in July. Officials from Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United States, and China are due to meet in Pakistan on January 11 for a meeting aimed at laying the ground for talks with the insurgents.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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