August 2018 Gardez mosque attack

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]

2018 Gardez Mosque Attack
Part of War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
August 2018 Gardez mosque attack is located in Afghanistan
August 2018 Gardez mosque attack
LocationGardez, Afghanistan
Coordinates33°36′11″N 69°13′19″E
Date3 August 2018
TargetShiites
Attack type
Suicide bombing, shooting
WeaponsExplosive belts, assault rifles
Deaths48 (including two perpetrators)[1]
Injured70+
PerpetratorIslamic State – Khorasan Province
No. of participants
2
MotiveIslamic terrorism

The attack

During Salat prayer on Friday, 3 August 2018, 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]

References
  1. Suicide attack on mosque in Afghanistan’s Gardez kills 48, ReliefWeb (6 August 2018) (Archive)
  2. Afghanistan: Dozens killed in bomb and gun attack on Shia mosque, Al Jazeera (3 August 2018) (Archive)
  3. Suicide bomb attack on Afghan Shi'ite mosque kills 39, 80 injured, Reuters (3 August 2018) (Archive)
  4. "Afghanistan : 35 morts dans un double attentat-suicide dans une mosquée". lemonde.fr (in French). 3 August 2018. Archived from the original on 13 August 2018.
  5. "Afghanistan : des kamikazes déguisés en femmes tuent au moins 35 fidèles dans une mosquée chiite". leparisien.fr (in French). 4 August 2018. Archived from the original on 5 August 2022.
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