Nine people, including an Indian national citizen, have been killed while 28 others have been injured in a rare shooting attack in Oman on the night of Monday, July 15. The attack occurred by the Islamic Militant Group near a Shia Muslim Mosque in Oman’s capital Muscat. Three attackers were involved in the shooting and were also killed by the security forces during the shooting at the Al-Wadi-al-Kabir area. Among the nine people was also a policeman.
Nine People Killed, One Indian And Four Pakistani
The Indian Embassy along with the Foreign Ministry of the Sultanate of Oman reported on Tuesday, July 17 that an Indian has been one of the nine killed in the shooting. The embassy also expressed its condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives. The nine victims also include four Pakistanis. The country’s foreign ministers reported that the four individuals were martyred as a result of the deadly shooting in the terrorist attack in the mosque area.
Three Members In Attack From Sunni Muslim Jihadist Group
The gunfire initially began in an adjacent building to the mosque where thousands of people had gathered to offer prayers. The Sunni Muslim jihadist group Islamic State mentioned that three of the group’s members have also been involved in the attack. Upon the attack, the crowd suddenly started running to seek cover when they heard gunshots. The 28 others injured were rescuers, paramedics, and people from distinct nationalities. This was because the mosque frequently saw many South Asian expatriates. Oman is also home to some 400,000 Pakistanis, as reported by Pakistan’s ambassador to the Gulf countries.
Iran Calls This A Divisive Act, US Embassy Issues Security Alert
The shooting happened on the ninth day of the Islamic month of Muharram. Many worshippers upon hearing the gunshots were heard calling out to God at the mosque. The IS has constantly targeted several Shia ceremonies and processions in countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. This is the first similar attack by the group in Oman. Oman is relatively a stable and secure country in the Middle East region with a population of 4.6 million people. Hence the sudden breach of its security has alarmed the nation. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif mentioned that he was deeply saddened by the attack and sent his condolences to the families of the victims. Iran has claimed that the attack in Oman was a ‘divisive act’. Meanwhile, the United States Embassy has issued a security alert along with the cancellation of all visa appointments for the day following the shooting.