Clerics among 6 killed in Herat attack

HERAT  CITY (Pajhwok): Six people, including two Shiite clerics, were killed in an attack by unknown gunmen in  western Herat province, on Friday, a statement said.

The Ministry of Interior (MoI) in a late night statement said that six people were killed, including women, and two others were injured in the Anjil district of Herat by unknown armed men. MoI condemned the attack in Herat but did not provide more information.

But Sami Wafayee, a local resident, said the attack took place at around 2:00 pm in Jebrayeel Township in the limits of 13th Police District.

He said after Friday prayer some individuals were travelling in a Rickshaw back home when attacked by unknown assailants.

Wafayee said, five people were killed and three others wounded in the attack.

No group or individual has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

This assault follows a similar incident about 10 days ago when two religious scholars fell victim to an attack by unidentified armed individuals in the same area. Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, has urged for an independent and comprehensive investigation into the earlier event, emphasizing the need for accountability and justice.

nh