In a violent assault on civilians enjoying a day of leisure, unidentified gunmen opened fire at a popular picnic spot in western Afghanistan on Friday, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. The attack targeted Hazara Shia Muslims, a minority group that has faced persistent persecution in the region.
According to Taliban officials, the incident occurred around 15:00 local time in the Enjil district of Herat province, near the village of Deh Mehri. Ahmadullah Muttaqi, the provincial head of information and culture, described it as a "terrorist incident," stating that armed individuals on motorcycles fired upon residents who had gathered for recreation at a local shrine, which is typically crowded on Fridays.
Casualty figures remain inconsistent. Muttaqi reported four deaths and 15 wounded, including two women, with one suspect already in custody. However, Abdul Mateen Qani, an interior ministry spokesperson, indicated on social media that preliminary information suggested seven fatalities and 13 injuries, some critical. A local doctor provided a higher toll, claiming 12 killed and 12 injured, and confirmed the victims were Hazara Shia Muslims.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. The Taliban government has announced an arrest, but details about the motive or the identity of the perpetrators are still unclear. This violence underscores the ongoing threats faced by religious and ethnic minorities in Afghanistan, even as the country grapples with security challenges under Taliban rule.