By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Four Pakistani nationals were killed and 30 others injured in a terrorist attack near a mosque in Oman’s capital Muscat, foreign ministry said on Tuesday.
“According to the latest information received from the Omani authorities, four Pakistanis were martyred as a result of gunshots in the dastardly terrorist attack on the Ali bin Abi Talib mosque in Wadi Kabeer area in Muscat,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
“Another thirty Pakistanis are under treatment in hospitals.”
The Royal Oman Police confirmed the attack but gave no motive or suspects behind the assault, which is a rare breach of security in one of the most stable countries in the Middle East.
“This is my message to the Pakistani community that in this emergency situation, please don’t go toward Wadi Al-Kabir, that area is cordoned off,” Pakistan’s ambassador to Oman, Imran Ali, said in a video message recorded at a hospital.
“If anyone has injured relatives, kindly please don’t give up on your patience,” he added.
The ambassador said he had visited up to four hospitals and the injured people he had met were in “relatively” stable condition.
“People in their homes, please stay safe, and don’t go there [toward Wadi Al-Kabir] because our information is that the emergency situation is still ongoing.”
A handout from the embassy said the “terrorist” attack by “unknown assailants” took place around 11 pm on Monday night on the Imam Bargah Ali bin Abu Talib in Wadi Al-Kabir.
Authorities evacuated people from the area following the attack and started an operation around 2:30 am.
“Assailants have taken worshippers hostages while reportedly [there are] several casualties; authorities have cordoned off the area,” it added. “Hostage evacuation has started now. Military units have reached.”
The Pakistani embassy’s Facebook page said emergency had been imposed at the Khulla Hospital, Nahida Hospital and Royal Hospital, which Ambassador Ali had visited.
“Four Pakistanis were martyred as a result of gunshots in the dastardly terrorist attack on the Ali bin Abi Talib mosque,” it added. “Another 30 Pakistanis are under treatment in hospitals.”
The embassy also released the names of those killed in the attack.
Ali told Abu Dhabi-based news outlet The National that at least 50 Pakistani expatriate workers were injured. “Another 30 Pakistanis are under treatment in hospitals.”
“I have visited three or four hospitals. By the grace of God, all those injured are safe,” he added.
“We are in touch with Omani authorities as well as hospitals. Our officers are on standby for emergency blood donations in the embassy.”
Oman is home to at least 400,000 Pakistanis.
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”.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he was “deeply saddened” by the attack.
“I have instructed the 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.”
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