6 Killed After Gunman Shoots Worshippers Inside a Shiite Mosque in Afghanistan: Taliban

Islamab: A gunman stormed a mosque in western Afghanistan, opening fire and killing six people as y were praying, a Taliban official said Tuesday.

Local media reports and a former president of Afghanistan said mosque was targeted because it was a place of worship for country's Shiite Muslim minority.

attack happened on Monday night in district of Guzara in Herat province, said Abdul Mateen Qani, a spokesman for Taliban Interior Ministry. He said in a post on social media platform that an investigation was underway.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for attack, which also wounded anor worshipper while attacker fled. Local media reported that mosque's imam was among those killed.

“I strongly condemn attack on Imam Zaman Mosque,” former Afghan President Hamid Karzai said on X. “I consider this terrorist act against all religious and human standards.” United Nation Assistance Mission in Afghanistan also condemned attack, which it said killed and wounded at least seven people, including a child. It called for urgent accountability for perpetrators and protection measures for Shitte communities.

Islamic State group's affiliate in Afghanistan is a major Taliban rival and frequently targets schools, hospitals, mosques and Shiite areas throughout country.

Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021, during last weeks of chaotic departure of US and NATO troops from country after 20 years of war.

Despite initial promises of a more moderate stance, Taliban grually reimposed a harsh interpretation of Islamic law, or Shariah, as y did during ir previous rule of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001.