Oman Mosque Shooting

Nine people, including an Indian, have been killed in an attack on a mosque in Oman late on Monday.

Oman Mosque Shooting

Nine people, including an Indian, have been killed in an attack on a mosque in Oman late on Monday. In a rare breach of security in one of the most stable countries in the Middle East, local authorities confirmed that the casualties also included three attackers. The Indian embassy in Oman made the announcement of the death of the Indian national on social media platform X and also stated that another Indian had been injured in the gun attack that took place in the Ali bin Abi Talib mosque in Muscat.

Four Pakistani nationals and a policeman were also among those killed in the assault, according to Pakistani and Omani officials. Authorities said 28 people of various nationalities were wounded, including security personnel. The attack took place in a Shi’ite mosque in Sunni-dominated Oman, known locally as the Imam Ali mosque, as Shi’ite Muslims observed Ashura, an annual period of mourning to commemorate the 7^th century death of Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

Oman that has long been seen as one of the most stable and secure countries in the Middle East. This has allowed it to play a leading role in mediation efforts to try to resolve conflicts and disputes in the region.

The Gulf sultanate has a population of about 4.6 million, of which more than 40% are foreign workers. The government does not publish statistics about religious affiliation.

However, the US state department estimates that 95% of the population is Muslim, with 45% Sunni, 45% Ibadi and 5% Shia. Hindus, Buddhists and Christians make up the remaining 5%.

Navy Rescues Nine After Vessel Capsizes Off Oman Coast

As part of its outreach in the Indian Ocean Region, Indian Navy deployed warship INS Teg to rescue crew members onboard a Comoros-flagged cargo vessel that capsized off Oman coast three days ago. Nine crew members – eight Indians and a Sri Lankan national – were successfully saved. The vessel MT Falcon Prestige had capsized on July 14 and had transmitted a distress call around 2200 hours. The merchant vessel had a crew of 16, of which 13 were Indian seafarers.

India-Oman Relations

Military Exercises:

Army exercise: Al Najah

Air Force exercise: Eastern Bridge

Naval Exercise: Naseem Al Bahr