Herat Residents Protest During Funeral of Attack Victims, Demand Taliban Action

HERAT, Afghanistan (Afghan Verified) -- Residents in Herat province protested on Tuesday during the funeral of victims from an armed attack on a Shiite gathering in Deh Miri village, Injil district, that occurred on Friday.

Eight victims were buried around 10 a.m. after Taliban forces prevented a planned public funeral procession from Saadieh Mosque to Sultan Agha shrine, according to Amu TV. Mourners carried the bodies, chanted "Labeik ya Hussein" and "Death to Terrorism," and demanded the Taliban identify and arrest the perpetrators, Hasht-e Subh reported. Khaama Press said Taliban authorities attempted to restrict participation in the funeral of at least 11 civilians, particularly Shia, killed by gunmen on motorcycles.

Amu TV reported 12 people injured in the attack, including one in a coma who remains hospitalized. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and Taliban authorities have not provided details on the perpetrators, the outlets said.

The protests reflect public demands for immediate and transparent action to ensure security and prevent repeats of such incidents without discrimination, according to Hasht-e Subh. Demonstrators condemned terrorism and warned against neglecting security responsibilities.

Casualty figures varied slightly across reports, with Amu TV and Hasht-e Subh citing eight killed -- the number buried Tuesday -- while Khaama Press reported at least 11 deaths.