A Chinese national was fatally shot in northeastern Afghanistan, according to a Taliban police spokesperson who shared details on Wednesday. This incident marks a rare occurrence of violence against foreigners in the region, particularly since the military withdrawal of international forces in 2021.

Mohammed Akbar, the police spokesman from Takhar province, reported that the foreigner was killed on Tuesday night by unidentified assailants while traveling towards the Dasht-e-Qala district. It was revealed that the victim, referred to by his surname Li, was on the move to an undisclosed location along with his interpreter and had not alerted local security officials about his journey. Fortunately, the interpreter remained unharmed during the event, as stated by Akbar.

The police have initiated an investigation into the shooting, with Akbar urging the public to remain attentive for updates. However, he refrained from offering additional details regarding the incident.

The National Mobilization Front, a militant group, has claimed liability for the attack, asserting that their fighters targeted the vehicle of the Chinese man. They alleged that he was engaged in providing training to Taliban intelligence operatives on how to monitor social media, though they did not supply any evidence to support these claims.

When the situation was brought up at a regular press briefing on Wednesday, Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, stated that she was not aware of the specifics. She expressed confidence that the Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan would prioritize the safety of its citizens and stated that they would continue to monitor the evolving situation.

China holds significant strategic value for the Taliban, as the group is actively seeking foreign investments and regional alliances while facing ongoing international isolation, particularly due to their imposed restrictions on women and girls. In December 2022, following a well-coordinated assault by Islamic State operatives on a Chinese-owned hotel in Kabul, the Chinese government advised its citizens to exit Afghanistan.

Chinese businesses, with support from Beijing, have shown interest in exploring investment opportunities to tap into Afghanistan’s extensive and untapped resource reserves, notably eyeing the Mes Aynak mine which is believed to harbor the largest copper reserves in the world.