An armed attack took place today in the province of Daikundi, in central Afghanistan, with civilian casualties, Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Khani told AFP.
“Unknown gunmen shot and killed civilians,” he said, adding that more details would be released later.
A local source, who asked not to be identified, said the attack left “14 dead and four injured,” a figure that could not immediately be confirmed by an official or independent source.
Afghan media outlet Tolo News also reported 14 dead and four injured, citing local sources.
Tolo News reported that victims of the attack gathered to welcome pilgrims returning from Karbala, one of Shiite Islam’s holiest sites in central Iraq.
A hospital official in Nili, capital of the predominantly Shiite Daikundi province, told AFP that “we are expecting four injured”. Nursing staff “have been told to prepare for admission and treatment of the injured”, he added.
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility
The regional affiliate of the Islamic State group in Afghanistan (ISIS-K) has claimed responsibility for today’s attack on Shiites in central Afghanistan.
The Sunni jihadist group’s propaganda arm said in a statement released tonight that “15 Shiites were killed and six others were wounded in an attack carried out by soldiers of the caliphate in central Afghanistan.”
Sources: AMPE, AFP