ISIS Claims Responsibility for Shooting at Imam Bargah in Oman
Muscat, Oman- ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack on the Ali bin Abu Talib Imam Bargah in the Wadi Kabir area of Muscat, resulting in the deaths of four Pakistanis. The attack, which occurred during Ashura commemorations, also injured 30 Pakistani citizens. The Pakistani Foreign Office condemned the incident as a “cowardly terrorist attack.”
According to sources, the deceased include four Pakistanis, one Indian, one local person, and three attackers. The Royal Oman Police have yet to provide details on the arrests or motives behind the attack.
The Pakistani embassy is working with local authorities to identify the bodies and arrange their repatriation. Pakistan has offered full assistance to Omani authorities in investigating this “heinous crime” and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
ISIS’s propaganda channel, Amaq, claimed that three of its fighters targeted Shia worshippers with machine guns before clashing with Omani forces.
Pakistani Ambassador to Oman, Imran Ali, established a helpline for families of the victims and highlighted that the mosque often saw worshippers from South Asia. Oman hosts around 400,000 Pakistani nationals.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his grief over the “terrorist attack” and affirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with Oman, offering full cooperation in the investigation. Iran’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the shooting as an act of sectarian violence.
Ambassador Imran Ali reported that the attack began with gunfire from a building adjacent to the mosque, with militants holding worshippers hostage until they were freed by Omani forces. Details about the assailants and their motives remain scarce.
Following the attack, the U.S. Embassy in Muscat issued a security alert and canceled all visa appointments for the day. They urged American citizens to stay vigilant and follow local news and authorities’ instructions.
Oman’s Royal Police stated that they are taking all necessary safety measures and are actively investigating the incident to uncover the circumstances.
With over 40% of its population being foreign workers, primarily from South Asia, Oman continues to grapple with the aftermath of this tragic event.
