Acting Afghan govt strongly condemns attack on Iran shrine

KABUL (Pajhwok): The caretaker government of Afghanistan on Friday strongly condemned an Islamic State-claimed attack on a shrine in the Iranian city of Shiraz, and expressed sympathy with families of the victims.

At least 15 people were killed and 40 others were injured Wednesday in a ‘terrorist attack’ at the Shahcheragh Shrine in the city of Shiraz, southern Iran, according to state-run media and Iranian officials.

Two children were among the victims, according to state-run Press TV.

Iranian security forces have arrested two of the suspected attackers, and a manhunt is underway to capture a third, state news said.

The terror group ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack, releasing a statement through its affiliated Amaq news agency that said one of its members had “targeted groups of Sunni refusal infidels inside the shrine with his machine gun, causing the death of tens of them.”

Nour News Agency, which is affiliated with Iran’s top security body, said the suspects were foreign nationals.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid wrote on his Twitter page that the Islamic Emirate strongly condemns the attack on worshipers and pilgrims in Shiraz, Iran.

He said innocent civilians had been targeted in such attacks many times in Afghanistan. “They are enemies of Islam and Muslims.”

The attack in Iran takes place amid widespread protests entering 40th day in 30 major cities against the killing of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman.

Amini died on September 16 after being detained by “morality police” and taken to a “re-education center,” allegedly for not abiding by the country’s conservative dress code.

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