A council of Afghanistan’s former diplomats has condemned last Friday’s deadly shooting in Herat province that killed at least 13 people, warning that the attack may reflect a broader pattern of targeted violence against religious minorities.
In a statement, the Coordination Council of Diplomatic and Consular Missions of the former Afghan government described the assault in Herat as “deeply concerning” and said it appeared to have specifically targeted members of a vulnerable community.
The attack occurred on Friday afternoon, April 10, when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a group of civilians gathered near a local shrine. The council said at least 11 people were killed and several others wounded, with victims including men, women and children.
The group warned that the incident underscores a serious threat to the safety of minority communities and could be part of a wider trend of deliberate violence against religious groups.
“Any policies or narratives that marginalize minorities risk fueling discrimination, hatred and violence,” the statement said, adding that the attack constituted a clear violation of international human rights law, including the rights to life and freedom of religion.
The council called on the United Nations and other international bodies to carry out an independent, transparent and prompt investigation, and to hold those responsible accountable.
It also urged Taliban authorities to take concrete measures to protect religious sites and prevent similar attacks in the future.
Local sources, however, have reported higher casualty figures than those cited in the statement. They said at least 13 civilians were killed and nine others injured in the shooting in the village of Deh Miri in Injil district. According to those accounts, all of the victims were members of Afghanistan’s Shiite community.
Relatives of the victims said multiple families were affected, with several losing more than one member. Funeral ceremonies are expected to take place in the coming days.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which has drawn condemnation from rights advocates and renewed calls for greater protection of religious minorities in Afghanistan.
