Gunmen Attack Picnic Spot in Afghanistan, Leaving Multiple Dead and Injured

Gunmen attacked civilians at a picnic spot in Afghanistan’s Herat province, killing several people and injuring others. Casualty figures vary, with officials reporting between four and seven deaths, while a doctor claimed higher numbers. The victims were mostly Hazara Shia Muslims, a minority group often targeted in attacks. A suspect has been arrested, but no group has claimed responsibility.

Gunmen have killed multiple civilians after opening fire on people gathered at a popular picnic location in western Afghanistan, according to officials and a local doctor who spoke about the incident.
The attack took place on Friday in the Enjil district of Herat province, but reports on the number of casualties have varied. A spokesperson for the Taliban’s interior ministry said that seven people were killed in the нападение, while a provincial official provided a lower figure, stating that four people had died.
As of now, no group has come forward to claim responsibility for the attack, leaving uncertainty about who carried it out and their motive.
According to details released by the interior ministry, the assailants were described as “unidentified armed men” who were riding motorcycles when they arrived near the village of Deh Mehri. They reportedly opened fire on civilians gathered in the area. The location is known to be a recreational site that attracts many visitors, especially on Fridays, when families and groups often gather there for relaxation and picnics.
A doctor working at a hospital in Herat province told the BBC that the victims of the attack were members of the Hazara Shia Muslim community. He explained that the group had gone to a local shrine in the area for a picnic when they were targeted. The doctor gave a higher casualty figure than the official reports, saying that as many as 12 people had been killed and another 12 injured in the shooting.
The Hazara community, which is largely Shia Muslim, is a minority group in Afghanistan and has been repeatedly targeted in past attacks. Incidents like this have raised ongoing concerns about the safety of minority communities in the country.
Ahmadullah Muttaqi, the Taliban government’s provincial head of information and culture in Herat, said the incident occurred at about 15:00 local time (11:30 BST). He described the shooting as a terrorist act, stating that armed men opened fire on residents who had gone to Deh Mehri village for recreational purposes.
Muttaqi further explained that four bodies and 15 injured individuals, including two women, were transported to Herat Regional Hospital for medical attention following the attack. Medical personnel have been working to treat the wounded, some of whom are reported to be in serious condition.
He also confirmed that security forces had arrested a suspect in connection with the attack, although no further details about the individual or possible accomplices were immediately available.
In a separate update shared on X, interior ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani said preliminary information indicated that seven people were killed and 13 others were injured. He added that some of those wounded were in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll could increase.
The village of Deh Mehri, where the shooting occurred, is predominantly inhabited by Shiite Muslims and is home to a shrine that draws daily visitors who come to pray, reflect, and spend time in the area. The attack has shocked residents and raised fresh concerns about security in places that are usually considered safe for families and community gatherings.