Pakistan Says 4 Nationals Killed In Gun Attack In Oman

By Shakir Husain

NEW DELHI, July 16 (Bernama) -- Pakistan said on Tuesday four of its nationals were killed in a shooting on Monday night near Oman's capital Muscat.

The Pakistan government has strongly condemned the attack which happened during a Shia religious event at a mosque in Wadi Kabir, an area east of the capital city.

"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.

"Another 30 Pakistanis are under treatment in hospitals. We remain in close contact with Omani authorities," it said.

Pakistan's ambassador to Oman, Imran Ali, visited the injured at local hospitals.

Oman police said authorities are continuing to gather evidence and conduct investigations to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Pakistan said it has offered all possible assistance to Omani authorities to investigate the attack and bring to justice those behind it.

Such gun violence is rare in the peaceful Gulf state where expatriate workers live in large numbers.

The US embassy in Muscat has issued a security alert for American citizens.

"The US embassy is following reports of the shooting incident in Wadi Kabir. US citizens should remain vigilant, monitor local news and heed directions of local authorities," the American diplomatic mission said.

-- BERNAMA