4 Pakistanis killed in Oman shooting

MUSCAT/ISLAMABAD: At least four Pakistanis were killed and several wounded in a shooting near an Imambargh in Omani capital Muscat on Tuesday.

A rare attack in the otherwise stable Gulf sultanate, Monday´s Imambargh attack is yet to be claimed.

“The Royal Oman Police have responded to a shooting incident that occurred in the vicinity of a mosque in Al-Wadi Al-Kabir area of the capital”, police said in a statement. The force gave an initial toll of four killed and “several” wounded.

Pakistan strongly condemned terrorist attack on Imambargah Ali bin Abu Talib in Muscat, Oman that resulted in casualties including death of four Pakistanis.

President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar condemned the attack with Pakistan offering help to Oman government in investigating the terrorist attack.

President Zardari strongly condemned the attack and extended his condolences to the victims and their families. Shehbaz Sharif tweeted, “I am deeply saddened by the terrorist attack on Imambargah in Muscat, resulting in the loss of precious lives, including four Pakistani nationals. My heart goes out to families of the victims. I have instructed Pakistan Embassy in Muscat to extend all possible assistance to the injured and visit the hospitals personally. Pakistan stands in solidarity with the Sultanate of Oman and offers full assistance in the investigation”.

Foreign Minister Dar tweeted, “My deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to families of four Pakistani nationals who were killed in dastardly terrorist attack on Imambargha in Muscat”.

The Foreign Office named the four Pakistanis who lost their lives as Ghulam Abbas, Hasan Abbas, Sayyed Qaiser Abbas and Sulaymaniyah Nawaz. Pakistan’s Embassy in Oman remains in contact with Omani authorities for repatriation of mortal remains of the four martyred Pakistanis, it added.

Ambassador Imran Ali is also visiting local hospitals to inquire about the wellbeing of injured Pakistani nationals, it said.

Earlier Pakistan said it was heartened Oman has neutralised the attackers.“Pakistan has offered all possible assistance to Omani authorities in investigation and in bringing to justice of those responsible for this heinous crime in this holy month of Muharram”, it said.

Pakistan’s Ambassador Imran Imran Ali told the local media at least 50 Pakistani expatriate workers were injured. In a video message, Ali urged Pakistani residents to cooperate with Omani authorities and avoid the area around the mosque that was hit.

“I have visited three or four hospitals. By the grace of God, all those injured are safe,” Ali said.

Ali said the mosque was mostly frequented by south Asian expatriates. Oman is home to at least 400,000 Pakistanis, he said. The ambassador said the attack began with gunfire from a building adjacent to the mosque as hundreds of people gathered for prayers.

The worshippers were held “hostage” by militants before “they were later freed by Omani forces”, Ali said. He said there was little information on the perpetrators of the attack or their possible motive.

“Everyone is being tight-lipped about this,” he said, adding the attack created a “difficult situation”.

The US embassy in Muscat issued a security alert following the shooting and cancelled all visa appointments. “US citizens should remain vigilant, monitor local news and heed directions of local authorities,” the embassy posted on X.

Video footage showed people fleeing Imam Ali Mosque, its minaret visible, as gunshots ring out. Police said “all necessary security measures and procedures have been taken to handle the situation” following the attack.

“The authorities are continuing to gather evidence and conduct investigations to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident,” police added on X.

Oman has a population of over four million, more than 40 percent of whom are expatriate workers, most of them from south Asia, according to government figures.