The Islamic State, notorious for its acts of terrorism, has asserted accountability for a devastating shooting incident in Afghanistan. Members of the country’s Shiite community faced the brunt of this attack.
According to reports, the militant group declared through its Telegram channel that one of its operatives unleashed a barrage of gunfire upon a Shiite mosque located in Herat province. The assault, which transpired during the night on Monday in Guzara district, resulted in the tragic loss of six lives and inflicted injuries upon another individual.
The assailant swiftly departed the scene, leaving chaos and sorrow in their wake. The Taliban’s Interior Ministry has initiated an investigation into the matter, striving to unravel the intricacies surrounding this heinous act.
Local sources have indicated that among the victims was the revered imam of the mosque, adding a layer of poignancy to the already distressing situation. Furthermore, the United Nations mission in Afghanistan has vehemently condemned the attack, highlighting the harrowing detail that a child was among those harmed. Urgent calls for holding the perpetrators accountable and implementing enhanced security measures for Shiite communities have echoed in the aftermath of this tragedy.
Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai took to the social media platform X to denounce the incident, categorizing it as a blatant violation of both religious and humanitarian principles. Additionally, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended heartfelt condolences to the people of Afghanistan, underscoring the shared grief and solidarity in the face of such senseless violence.
In the backdrop of this reprehensible act, the region grapples with the grim reality of terrorism’s indiscriminate reach, underscoring the imperative for concerted efforts in combating extremism and fostering peace and harmony within communities.