August 2018 Gardez mosque attack explained
| 2018 Gardez Mosque Attack |
| Coordinates: | 33.6031°N 69.2219°W |
| Fatalities: | 48 (including two perpetrators)[1] |
| Injuries: | 70+ |
| Numparts: | 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.[2] [3]
The attack
During Salat prayer on Friday,, 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.[4]
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.[5]
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.[5]
Notes and References
- https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/suicide-attack-mosque-afghanistan-s-gardez-kills-48 Suicide attack on mosque in Afghanistan’s Gardez kills 48
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/08/suicide-bombers-target-shia-mosque-eastern-afghanistan-180803104926634.html Afghanistan: Dozens killed in bomb and gun attack on Shia mosque
- https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-attack/suicide-bomb-attack-on-afghan-shiite-mosque-kills-39-80-injured-idUSKBN1KO1DF?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews Suicide bomb attack on Afghan Shi'ite mosque kills 39, 80 injured
- Web site: 3 August 2018 . Afghanistan : 35 morts dans un double attentat-suicide dans une mosquée . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180813062559/https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2018/08/03/afghanistan-au-moins-22-morts-et-25-blesses-dans-un-double-attentat-suicide-dans-une-mosquee_5339040_3210.html . 13 August 2018 . lemonde.fr . fr.
- Web site: 4 August 2018 . Afghanistan : des kamikazes déguisés en femmes tuent au moins 35 fidèles dans une mosquée chiite . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220805020614/https://www.leparisien.fr/international/afghanistan-des-kamikazes-deguises-en-femmes-tuent-au-moins-35-fideles-dans-une-mosquee-chiite-04-08-2018-7843428.php . 5 August 2022 . leparisien.fr . fr.
