HERAT, Afghanistan, Dec 1, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - At least seven people were

killed Friday when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a rickshaw carrying two
Shiite clerics in western Afghanistan, an official and residents said.

The official from Herat's intelligence department told AFP the attack
happened in the Kora Milli area of the city, adding seven people were killed
and one wounded.

Locals said four women were among the dead and that both clerics were killed.

"They were returning home in a three-wheeler... when they were targeted by
unknown gunmen with gunfire," one resident told AFP.

"The target of this shooting was probably two religious scholars who were
Shiites," he said.

Shiites are a minority in Afghanistan and are drawn mostly from the Hazara
community, a frequent target of attacks by militants from the Islamic State
(IS) group, who consider them heretics.

Violence has reduced dramatically since the Taliban ended their insurgency
after seizing power in August 2021, but a number of armed groups -- including
the regional chapter of IS -- remain a threat.