Muscat mosque shooting: One Indian national among six dead, attackers killed

Muscat Mosque Shooting: The Foreign Ministry of OmanonTuesday (Jul 16) saidthat one Indian national also lost his life in the shooting incident that targeted a mosque in the capital city of Muscat. A total of six people died in the attack, including four Pakistanis, and more than 50 sustained injuries.

"Following the shooting incident reported in Muscat city on 15 July, Foreign Ministry of Sultanate of Oman has informed that one Indian national has lost his life & another is injured. Embassy offers its sincere condolences & stands ready to offer all assistance to the families," the Indian embassy in Muscat said on social media site X.

Royal Oman Police said the three perpetrators were also killed.

"The Oman Royal police offer condolences to the families of those dead and wish speedy recovery for the injured," the force said in a statement.

The Pakistani envoy in Oman said at least 50 Pakistani nationals were injured in the attack.Imran Ali told local media that at least 20 Pakistani expatriates were being treated for bullet wounds.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered his condolences to those who died and were injured and offered assistance to the Oman government in the investigation.

"My heart goes out to the families of the victims. I have instructed the Pakistan Embassy in Muscat to extend all possible assistance to the injured and visit the hospitals personally," wrote Sharif on X.

"Pakistan stands in solidarity with the Sultanate of Oman and offers full assistance in the investigation," he added.

The attack, which happened Monday (Jul 15)night, unfoldedoutside Imam Ali Mosque in the Wadi Kabir area as the local Shi'ite population celebrated a major religious event on the ninth day ofMuharram.

Oman is considered one of the safest nations in the world and such shooting incidents are rare.

(With inputs from agencies)