Indian National Among Six Killed in Muscat Mosque Attack

Muscat, Oman – An attack on the Ali bin Abi Talib mosque in Muscat, the capital city of Oman, resulted in the deaths of six people, including an Indian national. The Indian embassy in Muscat confirmed the casualty and stated that another Indian was injured in the gun attack on the night of July 16.

The incident occurred in the Al Wadi Al Kabir area. The Indian Embassy in Muscat released a statement saying, “Following the shooting incident reported in Muscat city on 15 July, the Foreign Ministry of Sultanate of Oman has informed that one Indian national has lost his life and another is injured. The Embassy offers its sincere condolences and stands ready to offer all assistance to the families.”

According to the Oman News Agency, three attackers were killed. The Royal Oman Police (ROP) and the military and security services have concluded their response to the shooting incident. Four Pakistanis and a policeman were among those killed, and at least 28 other people from different nationalities were injured. The injured have been transferred to health institutions for treatment, and investigations into the incident have begun.

An eyewitness recounted the harrowing experience, stating, “The hall of the mosque was packed with hundreds of worshippers, and the atmosphere was heavy with tension as the sound of panicked, laboured breathing grew louder. The relentless firing of bullets echoed for over an hour, eventually becoming sporadic, but for nearly three hours, death loomed over us.”

The Royal Oman Police expressed condolences and sympathies to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery. Such an attack is rare in Oman, a frequent regional mediator with a low crime rate. The attack occurred during the Muslim day of Ashura, a significant day for both Shia and Sunni Muslims.