A deadly shooting attack on civilians in western Afghanistan has left at least 11 people dead and several others wounded, highlighting ongoing security concerns in the country.
The incident occurred on Friday afternoon in the Deh Miri area of Injil district, Herat province, where a group of civilians had gathered for leisure. Local sources say four armed individuals riding two motorcycles arrived in the village of Deh Miri in the Injil district, first separated the men from the women and children, and then opened fire on them. According to these sources, the gunmen also fired at women and children who attempted to flee.
Initial reports from Taliban officials put the death toll at seven, with 13 injured. Local sources, however, put the death toll at no fewer than 35, saying that due to the large crowd gathered at the recreational area and the shrine, the actual number of casualties is likely higher than the figures released by the Taliban.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Taliban officials say one suspect has been arrested, and efforts are ongoing to identify and detain others involved.
A lot of citizens, particularly residents of Herat, called the Taliban a failure at providing security for the people, saying that instead of hiring mullahs to harass women and men on the streets, they should be focused on preventing such deadly incidents. These citizens also alleged that the Taliban were directly involved in this incident.