On 3 August 2018, a suicide attack was carried out by two members of the Islamic State terrorist group at a Shiite mosque in Gardez, eastern Afghanistan. The attack left 48 dead, including three children, and more than 70 injured.[2][3]
| 2018 Gardez Mosque Attack | |
|---|---|
| Part of War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) | |
  | |
| Location | Gardez, Afghanistan |
| Coordinates | 33°36′11″N 69°13′19″E / 33.60306°N 69.22194°E |
| Date | 3 August 2018 |
| Target | Shiites |
Attack type | Suicide bombing, shooting |
| Weapons | Explosive belts, assault rifles |
| Deaths | 48 (including two perpetrators)[1] |
| Injured | 70+ |
| Perpetrator | Islamic State – Khorasan Province |
No. of participants | 2 |
| Motive | Islamic terrorism |
The attack
editDuring Salat prayer on Friday, 3 August 2018, two members of the Islamic State clad in burqas burst into the Shia mosque of Gardez. There they opened fire on the worshippers before activating their explosive vests.[4]
Aftermath
editAn initial report on the day of the attack gave a total of 29 dead and 81 injured. A new count the next day reported 35 dead, including 3 children, and 94 injured. 17 people were evacuated by helicopter to Kabul.[5]
Responsibility
editThe Taliban rapidly denied all responsibility for the attack. The Islamic State, through its agency Amaq, claimed responsibility during a message on the evening of August 4.[5]
References
edit- ^ Suicide attack on mosque in Afghanistan’s Gardez kills 48, ReliefWeb (6 August 2018) (Archive)
- ^ Afghanistan: Dozens killed in bomb and gun attack on Shia mosque, Al Jazeera (3 August 2018) (Archive)
- ^ Suicide bomb attack on Afghan Shi'ite mosque kills 39, 80 injured, Reuters (3 August 2018) (Archive)
- ^ "Afghanistan : 35 morts dans un double attentat-suicide dans une mosquée". lemonde.fr (in French). 3 August 2018. Archived from the original on 13 August 2018.
- ^ a b "Afghanistan : des kamikazes déguisés en femmes tuent au moins 35 fidèles dans une mosquée chiite". leparisien.fr (in French). 4 August 2018. Archived from the original on 5 August 2022.