An Indian national was among the six killed in Oman mosque attack, on Monday. The rare shooting attack was by Islamic State militant group near a Shia Muslim mosque in Muscat. Among the six, four were Pakistani nationals. One policeman and one Indian were killed, according to reports. Three attackers were also reported dead.
The Indian Embassy has confirmed that an Indian national was killed and another was reported injured in a shooting at a mosque in Muscat, on Monday.
Tragic attack near Shi’ite Mosque in Muscat, Oman
The rare act of gun violence occurred during a Shia event in Muscat, which resulted in claiming nine lives, including three attackers.
The attack came following Ashura, observed by Shi’itr Muslims as an annual period of mourning to commemorate the 7th-century death of Hussein, a grandson of Prophet Muhammad.
Source: TOI
According to the group’s statement, the three suicide attackers who were from Islamic State targeted the gathering of Shi’ite Muslims while they were practicing their annual rituals at Imam Ali Mosque. The attack took place in Imam Ali Mosque also known as Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque, as Shi’ite Mosque in Sunni dominated Oman. The Mosque is located in the Wadi-Ali-Kabir district of Oman’s Capital Muscat.
The Islamic State fighters fired on Shi’ite worshippers and exchanged gunfire with Omani security forces until morning.
Embassy Offers Condolences
The Pakistani foreign ministry called the incident a “terrorist” attack and said 30 people were injured and are in hospital.
Pakistani foreign said in a statement “We are heartened that the government of Oman has neutralized the attackers”.
Imran Ali, Pakistani Ambassador visited some of the wounded in hospital, the embassy said in a post on X (previously Twitter).
Imran Ali said, “ I have visited three or four hospitals . By the grace of God, all those injured are safe”.
Pakistani nationals were urged to cooperate with Omani authorities and avoid the area around the Imam Ali Mosque, by the ambassador.
The Indian Embassy in Oman confirmed on Tuesday that a shooting near a Shiite mosque in Muscat on Monday killed one Indian national and left another injured.
“Following the shooting incident reported in Muscat city yesterday, Foreign Ministry of Sultanate of Oman has informed that one Indian national has lost his life & another is injured,” the Indian Embassy in Oman posted on X(previously Twitter).
Source: X
The embassy extends deep condolence and assures that it is ready to provide full support to the affected families.
