ISLAMABAD: A deadly attack in western Afghanistan has drawn strong international condemnation, after gunmen opened fire on families gathered near a religious site in Herat province.
The attack took place on Friday in Deh Mehri village, located in the Injil district of Herat Province, where families had assembled for a picnic near a Shia shrine, according to local media.
At least 11 people were killed and 11 others injured, including women and children.
Witnesses described scenes of panic and chaos as the unidentified attackers began shooting into the crowd. Emergency responders transported the wounded to nearby medical facilities, where several remain in critical condition, local media reported.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) expressed condolences to the victims and their families, describing the incident as a “terrible crime.”
“We express our condolences to the victims and to the families affected, and wish those injured a speedy recovery,” said the UN’s Officer-in-charge of Afghanistan Georgette Gagnon, who also called on authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure the protection of all communities across Afghanistan.
The UN’s Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan Richard Bennett, meanwhile. strongly condemned the attack, describing it as “brutal” and urged that those responsible be brought to justice.
He noted that the victims were members of the Shia community and stressed that such targeted violence must not go unpunished.
The European Union also denounced the killings, stating that violence against civilians is unacceptable under any circumstances. The bloc extended its condolences to the victims’ families and expressed solidarity with those affected.
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