Iran condemns deadly shooting attack in Oman

Iran has condemned a deadly shooting attack in Oman, which was carried out near a mosque in the Wadi al-Kabir area in Muscat Governorate.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani condemned the incident in a statement on Tuesday.

The shooting was during a Shia Muslim ceremony marking Ashura, the annual commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Hossein, the third Shia Imam and the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him).

Kan'ani denounced such divisive acts and expressed Iran’s solidarity with the government and people of Oman against such moves that aimed to sow discord in society.

The Iranian official prayed for mercy and grace for the martyrs and wished the bereaved patience.

4 Pakistanis killed, several injured in shooting near Oman mosque

A shooting near a mosque in the Omani capital Muscat has killed at least four Pakistanis and wounded multiple others.

The Royal Oman Police said on Tuesday, “The incident resulted in the death of five individuals, the martyrdom of one policeman, and the death of three perpetrators.”

“Additionally, 28 individuals of various nationalities were injured.”

“The authorities are continuing to gather evidence and conduct investigations to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident,” it said on X.

The Royal Oman Police did not provide any information about the identities of the assailants and victims, as well as their motives.

In Islamabad, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the terrorist attack.

“My heart goes out to the families of the victims. I have instructed the Pakistan Embassy in Muscat to extend all possible assistance to the injured and visit the hospitals personally. Pakistan stands in solidarity with the Sultanate of Oman & offers full assistance in the investigation,” he stated on X.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry cited Omani authorities as saying “four Pakistanis were martyred” in the shooting.

“Another 30 Pakistanis are receiving treatment in hospitals,” the ministry said.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Muscat Imran Ali said in a video that he had visited some of those injured at three local hospitals and that their condition was “relatively safe.”

Ali was quoted as saying by the Abu Dhabi-based newspaper National that at least 50 Pakistani expatriate workers were injured in the attack. It quoted Ali as saying the perpetrators had taken many worshipers at the mosque, including women and children, hostage before police intervened and freed them. 

“It was a horror story for them. They went to pray for Muharram and are shocked this had happened. The attack was premeditated on innocent mosque-goers and that is all we know for now. We thank god that the tragedy is much less than what it could have been.”

Such violence is rare in Oman, one of the most secure and stable Arab countries, which traditionally plays the role of mediator in regional disputes.

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