August 2018 Gardez mosque attack

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)
August 2018 Gardez mosque attack is located in Afghanistan
August 2018 Gardez mosque attack
LocationGardez, Afghanistan
Coordinates33°36′11″N 69°13′19″E / 33.60306°N 69.22194°E / 33.60306; 69.22194
Date3 August 2018
TargetShiites
Attack type
Suicide bombing, shooting
WeaponsExplosive belts, assault rifles
Deaths48 (including two perpetrators)[1]
Injured70+
PerpetratorIslamic State – Khorasan Province
No. of participants
2
MotiveIslamic terrorism

The attack

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During 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

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An 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

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The 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

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  1. ^ Suicide attack on mosque in Afghanistan’s Gardez kills 48, ReliefWeb (6 August 2018) (Archive)
  2. ^ Afghanistan: Dozens killed in bomb and gun attack on Shia mosque, Al Jazeera (3 August 2018) (Archive)
  3. ^ Suicide bomb attack on Afghan Shi'ite mosque kills 39, 80 injured, Reuters (3 August 2018) (Archive)
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ 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.