Tehran, Iran – A holy shrine in Iran’s southern city of Shiraz has experienced another deadly attack, less than a year after the previous incident. This time, a gunman broke into the shrine and opened fire.
Yadollah Bouali, the provincial commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), informed state media that a single shooter entered the Shah Cheragh shrine through its southern gate on Sunday at 7pm (15:30 GMT) with the intention of carrying out a “terrorist” operation. Earlier reports had suggested the presence of two shooters, but Bouali clarified that there was only one.
The assailant, who was apprehended at the scene, used an assault rifle and had eight magazines containing a total of 240 bullets. He managed to fire off 11 rounds before being subdued. One person was killed in the attack, and four others were injured.
Videos circulating online depict people fleeing in panic outside the shrine and closing their shops. Images show bullet holes in walls and windows, as well as blood on the ground.
The Shah Cheragh shrine, located in the province of Fars and considered one of the most significant sites in Shia Islam, had previously been targeted in a similar attack on October 26, 2022.
During that incident, a lone gunman entered the shrine armed with an automatic rifle and targeted a group of pilgrims and staff. Thirteen people were killed, and 40 others were injured before security forces neutralized the attacker.
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