According to a spokesperson for the Afghan Ministry of Interior, the identity of the tourists could not be verified—Photo: File
Bamyan: In the province of Bamyan, Afghanistan, three foreign tourists and one local civilian were killed and 7 others were injured in an armed attack.
According to a report by news agency Reuters, the Taliban-led Ministry of Interior confirmed that in the central area of Bamyan, foreign tourists were killed and 3 local individuals and 4 foreign civilians were injured in the gunfire.
Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdulmatin Qainai stated that armed individuals initiated the gunfire, resulting in this incident. However, 4 individuals have been arrested.
The nationality and identification of the foreigners who were killed and injured in the gunfire could not be immediately ascertained, and there is also no clarity regarding the attackers.
It is worth noting that Bamyan is one of the centers of UNESCO’s historical heritage and houses two historical sculptures of Buddha, which the Taliban destroyed during their first stint in power in 2001.
After taking control of the Afghan government in 2021, the Taliban had expressed their intention to improve security in the country and significant progress was made. As a result, a wave of foreign tourists entering the country began and there was an increase in the sale of tickets to see the Buddha statues.