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Attack leaves multiple dead in Herat province
Armed assailants opened fire on a group of civilians gathered at a popular recreational spot in Afghanistan's Herat province on Friday, killing at least seven people, according to Taliban officials. A local doctor reported a higher death toll, saying 12 were killed and 12 injured.
Conflicting casualty reports emerge
The Taliban's interior ministry spokesperson, Abdul Mateen Qani, stated that preliminary information indicated seven fatalities and 13 wounded, some critically. However, a provincial official reported four deaths, while a doctor at a Herat hospital told the BBC that 12 people had been killed and 12 injured.
Qani said the attack occurred near the village of Deh Mehri in Enjil district, a site frequented by visitors, particularly on Fridays.
Victims identified as Hazara Shia Muslims
The doctor confirmed that the victims were Hazara Shia Muslims, a minority group in Afghanistan that has faced targeted violence in the past. The group had gathered at a local shrine for a picnic when the attack took place.
Ahmadullah Muttaqi, the Taliban's provincial head of information and culture in Herat, said the incident occurred around 15:00 local time (11:30 BST). He reported that four bodies and 15 wounded individuals, including two women, were transported to Herat regional hospital.
Suspect detained as motive remains unclear
Muttaqi stated that security forces had arrested one suspect in connection with the attack. No group has claimed responsibility for the shooting.
According to Muttaqi, Deh Mehri is a predominantly Shia village and home to a shrine that attracts daily visitors for prayer and recreation.
History of violence against Hazara community
Shia Muslims, particularly those from the Hazara ethnic group, have been targeted in previous attacks in Afghanistan. The community has faced persistent threats and violence, often linked to sectarian tensions.
"In a terrorist incident, armed men opened fire on residents who had gone to Deh Mehri village in Enjil district for recreation," Muttaqi told the BBC.
Ahmadullah Muttaqi, Taliban provincial official
