One Indian man and four Pakistanis were killed by gunfire near a mosque in Oman, the respective countries’ embassies said on Tuesday. The Foreign Ministry of Oman confirmed the deaths to these authorities.
The Indian Consulate in Muscat announced the death of one national and reported one injury. The embassy offered its condolences and said it was “ready to offer all assistance to the families”.
The Pakistani foreign ministry confirmed that four people were also killed in the “attack” in Wadi Al Kabir, in the governorate of the capital city Muscat.
In a statement, the Pakistani authorities said, “Our Embassy in Oman remains in contact with Omani authorities for identification and repatriation of the mortal remains of the two Pakistanis who perished in the attack. It has also opened a helpline to respond to queries from the community and to facilitate them in Oman.”
“Pakistan has offered all possible assistance to Omani authorities in the investigation and to bring to justice those responsible for the heinous attack.”
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Ambassador Imran Ali visited local hospitals to inquire about the well-being of injured Pakistanis. Earlier in the day, Imran Ali, took to X earlier to urge citizens in the country to avoid travelling to Wadi Al Kabir, as “the area has been cordoned off”.
In the minute-long video, he also said that he has visited “three-four hospitals” to visit those injured in the incident. Ali added, “All those injured are relatively safe”.
Emergency numbers have been provided for all those staying in Oman, any citizen with an injured relative can get in touch with the embassy through the numbers listed below:
- Abdul Samad: 92040038
- Khadim Hussain: 98577355
- Aamir Safdar: +923225251612
- Syed Nisarul Haq: 94981966
- Atiq Ahmed: 0045 9976
- Mudassir: 91391584
- To contact the Ambassador, Saifullah: 92109432
Arrangements have also been made to donate blood to injured Pakistani citizens who may be in need.
He urged Pakistani citizens to cooperate with local authorities adding that the embassy was also in touch with the hospitals and officials.
Meanwhile, the US embassy in Muscat issued a security alert to its citizens in the Gulf country. It said in a statement: “The US Embassy is following reports of the shooting incident in Wadi Kabir. US citizens should remain vigilant, monitor local news and heed directions of local authorities.”
After swiftly dealing with the situation, Oman Police said, “all necessary security measures and procedures have been taken to handle the situation” following the attack. “The authorities are continuing to gather evidence and conduct investigations to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident,” police added on X.
The area was still cordoned off later on Tuesday, with journalists unable to access the mosque, according to an AFP photographer there.