In a rare act of violence in the otherwise stable Gulf sultanate of Oman, six people, including four Pakistanis, were killed and nearly 30 others were wounded in a shooting near a Shiite mosque in Muscat. The attack, which occurred on Monday, targeted worshippers marking Ashura, an important day of mourning for Shiite Muslims that commemorates the seventh-century martyrdom of Imam Hussein.
The Royal Oman Police reported that three gunmen were involved in the assault and were subsequently killed by law enforcement. The attack took place in the Al-Wadi Al-Kabir area, and the police confirmed that they had concluded their operations related to the incident. The victims included a police officer and 28 people from various nationalities were injured, including paramedics and rescuers.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry confirmed that four of the deceased were Pakistani nationals, with an additional 30 Pakistanis receiving treatment for their injuries. Pakistani Ambassador to Oman, Imran Ali, noted that the mosque, frequented by South Asian expatriates, was under heavy gunfire from a nearby building as hundreds gathered for prayers. Worshippers were reportedly held hostage by the assailants before being rescued by Omani forces.
In response to the attack, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sadness and extended support to Oman, offering assistance with the investigation. The Pakistani embassy in Muscat is actively coordinating with local authorities and hospitals, providing emergency support, and has set up a hotline for the wounded and their families.
The U.S. Embassy in Muscat issued a security alert, advising American citizens to remain vigilant and follow local directives. The area surrounding the mosque has been cordoned off, and investigations are ongoing to determine the motives behind the attack and to gather more information on the perpetrators.
This shooting marks a troubling first for Oman, which has generally been insulated from the sectarian violence that has affected other Gulf nations. Recent years have seen several attacks on Shiite mosques in the region, often claimed by extremist groups.
