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Gunmen Kill 11 in Attack on Shia Picnic in Afghanistan

4/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

At least 11 people were killed in a shooting at a picnic spot in Deh Mehri village, Herat province, Afghanistan.
Unidentified gunmen on motorcycles targeted the Shia Muslim community visiting a local shrine.
Initial reports differed as the Taliban interior ministry cited seven deaths.
Ahmadullah Muttaqi, the Taliban's information head in Herat, condemned the act as terrorism.

History

Historical Context

The Herat Massacre in 2021, where gunmen attacked a Shia Muslim community, resulted in at least 11 deaths amid the Taliban's struggle to maintain security in Afghanistan. This incident echoes the historical persecution of Shia Muslims, particularly during the Taliban's previous rule in the late 1990s, highlighting ongoing sectarian violence and the challenges faced by the Taliban in countering terrorism while managing internal dissent.

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Story summary

At least 11 people were killed in a shooting at a picnic spot in Deh Mehri village, Herat province, Afghanistan.
Unidentified gunmen on motorcycles targeted the Shia Muslim community visiting a local shrine.
Initial reports differed as the Taliban interior ministry cited seven deaths.
Ahmadullah Muttaqi, the Taliban's information head in Herat, condemned the act as terrorism.

1 / 2