Six killed in Oman mosque shooting

AFP :
The death toll from a shooting near a Shiite mosque in Oman’s capital has climbed to six, police said Tuesday, adding that the three attackers were also killed.
Monday’s shooting “resulted in the death of five individuals, the martyrdom of one policeman, and the death of the three perpetrators,” with at least 28 other people wounded, Omani police said in a statement.
At least four Pakistanis were killed and another 30 wounded in the shooting, officials said Tuesday.
Pakistan’s ambassador to Oman, Imran Ali, visited some of the wounded in the hospital, the embassy posted on social media platform X.
In a video message posted on X, he urged Pakistanis in Oman to cooperate with local authorities and avoid the area where the shooting occurred.
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 wrote on social media platform X.
Footage verified by AFP shows people fleeing near Imam Ali Mosque, its minaret visible, as gunshots ring out.
A voice can be heard saying “oh God” and repeating “oh Hussein,” referring to the imam who Shias view as the rightful successor to the Prophet Mohammed.
Shias this week mark Ashura, an annual day of mourning that commemorates the seventh-century battlefield martyrdom of Imam Hussein.
Police said “all necessary security measures and procedures have been taken to handle the situation” following the attack.