A tragic incident unfolded in western Afghanistan when a gunman attacked a mosque, resulting in the deaths of six worshippers during prayers, as reported by a Taliban official on Tuesday.
The targeted mosque, located in the Guzara district of Herat province, was reportedly frequented by members of the country's Shiite Muslim minority. The attack occurred on Monday night, leaving several others wounded, including one worshipper, while the assailant managed to escape. Among the victims was the mosque's imam, according to local media.
While no group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai condemned the act as a terrorist act against religious and human values. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan also denounced the violence, emphasizing the need for accountability and protection for Shiite communities.
The incident is particularly concerning given the history of attacks by the Islamic State group's affiliate in Afghanistan on Shiite areas and religious sites. Despite the Taliban's takeover of the country in 2021, promising a more moderate approach, their governance has been marked by the reimplementation of strict interpretations of Islamic law, reminiscent of their previous rule from 1996 to 2001.
