Pakistan’s Foreign Office confirmed on Tuesday that the attack on a mosque in Oman had resulted in the deaths of four Pakistanis. Another 30 Pakistanis were injured in the attack.
“Pakistan strongly condemns the dastardly terrorist attack on Imam Bargah Ali bin Abu Talib in Wadi Kabir in Muscat, Oman that resulted in multiple casualties including the death of four Pakistanis,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
The statement said that the Pakistani embassy is in contact with authorities for identification and repatriation of the mortal remains of the martyred Pakistanis.
“It has also opened a helpline to respond to queries from the Pakistani community in Oman and to facilitate them. Ambassador Imran Ali is also visiting local hospitals to inquire about the well-being of injured Pakistani nationals,” the statement added.
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The Foreign Office also said it was ‘heartened’ that the attackers had been killed.
“Pakistan has offered all possible assistance to Omani authorities in the investigation and in bringing to justice of those responsible for this heinous crime in this holy month of Muharram.”
Monday’s mosque attack, which has yet to be claimed, came as Shias this week mark Ashura, an annual day of mourning that commemorates the seventh-century death in battle of Imam Hussain.
“The Royal Oman Police have responded to a shooting incident that occurred in the vicinity of a mosque in the Al-Wadi Al-Kabir area” of the capital, police said in a statement.
The force gave an initial toll of four killed and “several” wounded.
Pakistani ambassador Imran Ali visited some of the wounded in hospital, the embassy posted on social media platform X.
In a video message, Ali urged Pakistani residents to cooperate with Omani authorities and avoid the area around the mosque which was hit.
“I have visited three or four hospitals. By the grace of God, all those injured are safe,” Ali said.
“We are in touch with Omani authorities as well as hospitals. Our officers are on standby for emergency blood donations in the embassy,” he added, saying a hotline has been set up to assist the wounded and their relatives.
The US embassy in Muscat issued a security alert following the shooting and cancelled all visa appointments Tuesday.
“US citizens should remain vigilant, monitor local news and heed directions of local authorities,” the embassy posted on X.
Footage verified by AFP shows people fleeing the Imam Ali Mosque, its minaret visible, as gunshots ring out.
A voice can be heard saying “oh God” and repeating “oh Hussein”.
Police said “all necessary security measures and procedures have been taken to handle the situation” following the attack.
“The authorities are continuing to gather evidence and conduct investigations to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident,” police added on X.
The area was cordoned off on Tuesday, with journalists unable to access the mosque, an AFP photographer reported.
Oman has a population of over four million, more than 40 per cent of whom are expatriate workers, most of them from South Asia, according to government figures.
