2018 Gardez Mosque Attack | |
---|---|
Part of War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) | |
Location | Gardez, Afghanistan |
Coordinates | 33°36′11″N 69°13′19″E / 33.60306°N 69.22194°E / 33.60306; 69.22194 |
Date | 3 August 2018 |
Target | Shiites |
Attack type | Suicide bombing, shooting |
Weapons | Explosive belts, assault rifles |
Deaths | 48 (including two perpetrators) |
Injured | 70+ |
Perpetrator | Islamic State – Khorasan Province |
No. of participants | 2 |
Motive | Islamic terrorism |
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.
The attack
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.
Aftermath
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.
Responsibility
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.
References
- Suicide attack on mosque in Afghanistan’s Gardez kills 48, ReliefWeb (6 August 2018) (Archive)
- Afghanistan: Dozens killed in bomb and gun attack on Shia mosque, Al Jazeera (3 August 2018) (Archive)
- Suicide bomb attack on Afghan Shi'ite mosque kills 39, 80 injured, Reuters (3 August 2018) (Archive)
- "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.
- ^ "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.
- 2018 murders in Afghanistan
- August 2018 crimes in Asia
- Mosque bombings in Afghanistan
- Mass murder in 2018
- 2018 massacres of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
- Suicide bombings in Afghanistan
- Terrorist incidents in Afghanistan in 2018
- Attacks on Shiite mosques in Afghanistan
- Mosque bombings by Islamists
- Mosque shootings
- Suicide bombings in 2018
- 2018 building bombings
- 21st century in Paktia Province
- 21st-century attacks on mosques
- ISIL terrorist incidents in Afghanistan