Three Spanish tourists and an Afghan citizen were killed by gunmen in Afghanistan's central Bamyan province, said reports.
Four other foreign nationals and three Afghans were also injured in the attack, according to Afghan officials. Spanish foreign ministry said that one of the foreigners injured in the attack was a Spanish citizen.
Even though no group has claimed responsibility for the deadly attack, Afghan officials said four people were arrested in connection with the incident. The motive behind the attack was not revealed immediately.
Afghan interior ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani said in an official statement that the government "strongly condemns this crime, expresses its deep feelings to the families of the victims and assures that all the criminals will be found and punished”.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his shock on X, saying he was "overwhelmed by the news of the murder of Spanish tourists in Afghanistan.” “I am closely following the situation. The Emergency Consular Unit of the Spanish Foreign Ministry is working to offer all necessary assistance. I want to convey all my sympathy to their family and friends,” the Spanish PM added.
The Spanish foreign ministry said it has fully mobilised the consular emergency unit to assist the victims and their families.
It should be noted that in 2001, the Taliban blew up the remains of two giant Buddha statues in Bamyan, a UNESCO world heritage site.
In 2022, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack that injured Chinese nationals in Kabul.
– with inputs from Reuters