11 dead as gunmen attack Sikh gurudwara in Afghanistan

Unidentified gunmen and suicide bombers stormed a Sikh gurudwara in the heart of Afghanistan’s capital of Kabul on Wednesday, killing at least 11 worshippers and wounding as many, in one of the deadliest attacks on the minority community in the country, according to a media report.

The gunmen attacked the gurdwara in Shor Bazar area at about 7:45 a.m. (local time) as 150 worshippers were inside the building. 

“At least 11 people have been killed and 11 others wounded in attack at Dharamshala, a Sikh worship area in PD1 of Kabul,” Tolo News quoted a security source as saying.

“Three attackers are still fighting with security forces and one has been shot. Foreign troops have also responded to the attack on Dharamshala, a Sikh temple in PD1,” it said in a tweet.

Kabul police said that at least



11 children have been rescued from the gurudwara.

Sikh lawmaker Nardendar Singh Khalisa told reporters close to the scene that up to 150 people were praying inside the gurudwara when it came under attack.

“Afghan forces have cleared the first floor of a Sikh worship area in PD1 of Kabul, where suicide bombers are battling security forces,” Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian was quoted as saying in the report.

“A number of people have been rescued who were trapped inside the building,” he said.

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attack, according to the SITE intelligence group. The Taliban denied any involvement.

Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid said in a statement that the militant group had no link with the attack in Shor Bazar area of Kabul, Khama News agency reported.