One person has been killed and eight others wounded in a terrorist attack at the Shah Cheragh Shrine in the Iranian city of Shiraz, according to state media. The official IRNA news agency reported that a gunman attempted to enter the shrine and opened fire on visitors before being subdued. This is not the first attack on the shrine, as it was also targeted in October last year, resulting in the deaths of 13 people. The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the previous attack, but no group has immediately claimed responsibility for the latest incident. Initially, state media reported that there were two attackers and four fatalities, but the figures were later revised to a lone attacker, one dead, and eight injured. Yadollah Bouali, the regional Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps commander, stated that “a terrorist entered the gate of the shrine and opened fire with a battle rifle.” The semi-official Fars news agency added that the gunman faced resistance from protection forces when attempting to enter the shrine through the Bab al-Mahdi door. Witnesses reported that the gunman began shooting indiscriminately after being confronted. Tasnim, another semi-official news organization, stated that at least seven people were wounded, and shops in the area were closed. Security forces have cordoned off the shrine area. The Shah Cheragh Shrine is one of Iran’s most important pilgrimage sites and houses the tombs of two sons of the seventh Shia Imam Musa al-Kadhim, who are also the brothers of the eighth Imam Ali al-Rida. Last month, Iran executed two individuals accused of involvement in the October attack, while three others received prison sentences for their affiliation with IS. IS has previously claimed responsibility for attacks in Iran, including the twin bombings in 2017 that targeted the country’s parliament and the tomb of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the Islamic Republic’s founder.
What measures can be implemented to ensure the appropriate coordination and collaboration among different agencies involved in the provision of Psychological First Aid (PAA) to the victims and their families in the aftermath of the distressing terrorist assault
One individual has lost their life while eight others have sustained injuries in a distressing terrorist assault aimed at the Shah Cheragh shrine.
