Three gunmen attack Shitte shrine in Kabul, says Afghanistan Interior Ministry

Kabul, Afghanistan.

Three gunmen have attacked a Shitte shrine in Kabul, Afghanistan on Tuesday ahead of a major Shiite religious observance next month, says Afghan Interior Ministry. The Ministry also said that unknown number of people have been taken hostages in the attack. The government had previously issued warning of possible attacks in the country as the Shiite population prepared to mark the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson with candlelight vigils and mass public flagellations.

In Afghanistan, Shiites make up an estimated 15 percent of the population of around 30 million and most of them are ethnic Hazaras. Militant Sunni fundamentalists like the Taliban and the Islamic State group view Shiites as apostates and frequently attack Shiite mosques and public gatherings.

More details are awaited.

(With inputs from AP)