Herat Attack Driven by Taliban Extremism, Says Afghan Shia Leaders

The Taliban Interior Ministry had earlier confirmed that unidentified gunmen opened fire on civilians near a recreational area in Injil district on Friday afternoon.

The head of the Taliban’s Information and Culture Department in Herat said the death toll had risen to 11, adding that seven of the wounded later died in hospital due to the severity of their injuries.

Goldsmiths and other shopkeepers in Herat city launched a strike in protest at the deadly attack on civilians in the province.

Sources told Afghanistan International that four-armed men on motorcycles, carrying Kalashnikov rifles and pistols, carried out the shooting on Friday afternoon, targeting civilians who had gone to the area for recreation.

Ahmadullah Muttaqi, head of the Taliban’s Information and Culture Department in Herat, said seven of the wounded died at Herat Regional Hospital due to the severity of their injuries.

He added that eight other injured people remain under treatment at the hospital.

Muttaqi also said one suspect has been arrested in connection with the attack.

The incident took place around 3pm on Friday in Deh Mehri village in Injil district, where gunmen opened fire on Shia families who had gone there for recreation.

The Taliban Interior Ministry had earlier confirmed that unidentified armed men on motorcycles carried out the shooting, adding that some of the wounded were in critical condition.

Sources told Afghanistan International that four gunmen armed with Kalashnikov rifles and pistols were involved in the attack, which reportedly killed at least 13 people, including two women.

The attack occurred near a shrine known as “Sayed Mohammad Agha” in a predominantly Shia area.

Sources warn that the death toll could rise further.

Herat Regional Hospital has appealed for blood donations, with images showing large crowds gathered outside.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Sources said the attackers, armed with Kalashnikov rifles and pistols, targeted people who had gone to the area for recreation.

Among the victims were the local elder of Deh Mehri village and two of his sons, as well as three members of another family.

A list obtained by Afghanistan International shows that at least 21 people, including five women, were killed or injured in Deh Mehri alone, though it does not distinguish between fatalities and wounded.

Sources said several of the injured are in critical condition, while some others were discharged after receiving initial treatment.

They added that a delegation from Kabul is expected to travel to Herat, and Shia clerics will hold a meeting with the participation of a Taliban representative.

Another source said the Herat gold traders’ union plans to stage a strike in response to the killings.

No group has claimed responsibility, and the Taliban have not released details about the attack.

However, an eyewitness told Afghanistan International that the attackers were discussing “religious issues” among themselves.

Attacks on civilians, particularly Shia communities, are not new in Herat. In April 29, 2024, ISIS-affiliated gunmen opened fire on Shia worshippers at Imam Zaman Mosque in Guzara district, killing at least six people, including a woman and a child.

Human rights and international organisations have repeatedly expressed concern about the situation of Shia communities under Taliban rule.

Over more than four years in power, the Taliban have imposed restrictions on religious minorities, particularly Shias, institutionalising discrimination by obstructing their religious ceremonies.

In addition, Taliban laws and courts, based on Hanafi jurisprudence, have discouraged Sunni-Shia marriages and reportedly pressured Ismaili communities in some areas to abandon their beliefs.

BBC World cited data from the US State Department’s Refugee Processing Center, reporting that a total of 4,499 refugees were resettled during this period, all but three of whom were from South Africa.

This compares with the final full fiscal year of Joe Biden’s administration, when around 125,000 refugees from 85 countries were admitted to the United States.

Last year, Donald Trump introduced sweeping changes to immigration policy, significantly restricting or halting refugee admissions, including applicants from conflict zones such as Afghanistan.

However, he prioritised white South African minorities, whom he claimed face “racial persecution”, allowing them to apply for resettlement in the United States. The move was rejected by the South African government, which dismissed claims of “white genocide” as unfounded.

The Trump administration also reduced the refugee admissions cap for the 2026 fiscal year to 7,500, the lowest since the programme was established in 1980, prioritising white South Africans and “other victims of unlawful or unjust discrimination”.

Afghans have consistently been among the top nationalities seeking asylum in the US over the past decade. Following the recent changes, thousands of Afghan refugees remain stranded in regional countries and elsewhere, awaiting resettlement.

A copy of the 14-point document, obtained by Afghanistan International, outlines strict regulations, including mandatory beards, wearing traditional Afghan clothing and a ban on music. Students are also required to comply with the Taliban’s promotion of the vice and virtue law.

The document specifies a dress code, requiring students to wear “Afghan-style clothing”, and prohibits photography and video recording.

Clause six states: “Given that the people of Afghanistan follow the school of Imam Abu Hanifa, I also choose to follow this school in order to preserve unity and cohesion.”

Students from several universities have shared the document with Afghanistan International, expressing concern over the imposition of such rules.

A Balkh University student said they were forced to sign the pledge and warned they could be expelled if they fail to comply.

The final section of the document states that students will have no right to appeal if they violate its terms.

There have previously been reports of Taliban efforts to enforce religious sect changes in provinces including Badakhshan.

In early 2026, the Taliban’s Ulema Council in the province announced that followers of the Ismaili sect would receive financial incentives and protection if they converted to Sunni Islam.

The Taliban’s penal code also recognises followers of the Hanafi school as Muslims, while describing other sects as “deviant”.