KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has confirmed that in an attack on civilians in Injil district of Herat province, 11 people were killed and 11 others were injured.
UNAMA said in a statement published today (Sunday, April 12) that the attack took place “at a recreational gathering in front of a shrine belonging to Shia Muslims” in the Deh Miry area, and that the victims include women and children.
Georgette Gagnon, UNAMA’s acting head, said: “We express our condolences to the victims and to the families affected by this terrible crime, and wish those injured a speedy recovery.”
She added: “We ask the de facto authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and to ensure all communities across Afghanistan are protected from armed violence.”
Around 3:00 PM on Friday afternoon, armed individuals attacked Shiites in the Deh Miry area of Injil district in Herat and “shot them dead.”
The Taliban’s Department of Information and Culture in Herat said that 11 people were killed and eight others were injured in this attack. The Taliban’s Ministry of Interior said the number of dead was seven and the number of injured was 13.
So far, no individual or group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Taliban’s Department of Information and Culture in Herat said that one person has been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the attack, and efforts are ongoing to arrest the other attackers.
Shiites and Hazaras living in Herat province have repeatedly been the target of targeted armed attacks in recent years.
In some cases, ISIS has claimed responsibility for attacks against Shiite communities in the province.
This incident once again highlights the continued vulnerability of civilian populations in Afghanistan, particularly religious and ethnic minority communities, and underscores the urgent need for independent investigations, stronger civilian protection measures, and accountability for perpetrators.
Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have faced widespread accusations of discrimination against non-Pashtun ethnic groups and religious minorities, alongside restrictions on civil liberties, media operations, and public dissent.
A report published eight months ago by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) warned that the Taliban have effectively “eradicated” religious freedom in Afghanistan by enforcing a single interpretation of Islam and targeting individuals with differing beliefs.
The commission noted that religious minorities have been particularly vulnerable under these conditions, facing discrimination, persecution, and serious threats to their safety.
USCIRF also called for urgent international action, emphasizing the need for protection mechanisms and resettlement pathways for Afghans at risk.
It recommended that the United States expand refugee protections, including the establishment of a Priority 2 (P-2) program, to support members of highly threatened religious groups, while warning that returnees to Afghanistan could face severe risks such as arbitrary detention and punishment.
