At least six people, including an Indian national and a policeman, were killed, and 28 others were injured in a rare militant attack by the Islamic State near a Shia mosque in Oman’s capital, Muscat, on Monday night.
According to PTI, the assailants, who claimed responsibility for the attack, targeted the Imam Ali Mosque, killing four Pakistani nationals in addition to the Indian national and a policeman.
“Following the shooting incident reported in Muscat city on July 15, Foreign Ministry of Sultanate of Oman has informed that one Indian national has lost his life & another is injured,” Embassy of India in Muscat posted on X Tuesday.
“Embassy offers its sincere condolences & stands ready to offer all assistance to the families,” it added.
Security forces killed the three attackers during the incident in the al-Wadi al-Kabir area on Monday night, as stated in an official announcement.
Pakistan confirmed that four Pakistanis were among those who died in what it termed a “terrorist attack” on the Imam Ali Mosque. Additionally, India reported the death of one of its citizens.
The Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attack. Notably, ISIS has frequently targeted Shia ceremonies, processions, and worshippers in countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. However, this marks the first time ISIS has claimed an attack in Oman, where Shia Muslims constitute a minority.