At least four lives were tragically cut short due to a terrorist assault targeting the revered Shah Cheragh mosque situated in the city of Shiraz, Iran.
The gravity of the situation unfolded as reports emerged of a heinous act carried out by two individuals, presumably terrorists, as detailed by a local media outlet.
As the nation grapples with this reprehensible act, Iranian law enforcement swiftly responded to the incident.
One of the alleged culprits was confronted by officers and subsequently neutralized, while a comprehensive manhunt has been initiated to apprehend the second assailant, who managed to elude capture by fleeing from the scene.
In the wake of this appalling incident, the mosque's premises have been secured, with stringent access restrictions in place. Security forces have cordoned off the vicinity surrounding the shrine, diligently conducting an intensive search for the fugitive involved in this deplorable act.
Regrettably, amidst the chaos, at least five individuals have been reported as injured during the assault on the mosque. Nevertheless, these figures remain provisional in nature, and it is conceivable that the actual count of casualties may be higher.
Tragically, today's attack marks the second instance of terrorism directed at the Shah Cheragh mosque.
An earlier grievous incident occurred in October 2022, when a group of armed assailants unleashed gunfire within the sanctuary's walls, resulting in the tragic loss of 13 lives and inflicting injuries on 45 others.