Gunmen targeted civilians at a recreational area in the Enjil district of Herat province, western Afghanistan, on Friday, resulting in multiple fatalities. Officials and a local doctor reported that unidentified armed individuals on motorcycles opened fire near the village of Deh Mehri, a site typically crowded on Fridays for picnics. Ahmadullah Muttaqi, the provincial head of information and culture for the Taliban government in Herat, stated that the incident occurred around 15:00 local time and that security forces had arrested one suspect in connection with the attack.

Conflicting casualty figures have emerged from the attack. Abdul Mateen Qani, a spokesperson for the interior ministry, posted on X that preliminary information indicated seven people were killed and 13 others wounded, with some reported to be in critical condition. In contrast, a doctor from a hospital in Herat province, speaking to the BBC anonymously, provided a higher toll, claiming 12 killed and 12 injured. Muttaqi confirmed that four bodies and 15 wounded individuals, including two women, were taken to Herat regional hospital for treatment.

The victims were primarily Hazara Shia Muslims, a minority group in Afghanistan that has faced repeated targeting in past violence. Deh Mehri village is predominantly Shia and houses a Shia Muslim shrine frequently visited by worshippers. No group has claimed responsibility for the assault as of yet, and authorities are investigating the motives behind the shooting. This incident highlights ongoing security challenges in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, despite their claims of stabilizing the country.

Source: www.bbc.com