Four Pakistani nationals were killed and 30 others wounded by gunfire at a mosque in Oman, Omani and Pakistani officials said on Tuesday, in a rare breach of security in one of the most stable countries in the Middle East.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry said the attack took place in the Ali bin Abi Talib mosque, a Shi’ite mosque in Sunni-dominated Oman, known locally as the Imam Ali mosque.

Describing the incident in the Wadi al-Kabir district of Oman’s capital Muscat as a “terrorist” attack, the Pakistani ministry said 30 injured people were in hospital.

Oman’s police on Tuesday also reported the death of four people in the incident.

The attack came as Shi’ite Muslims observed Ashura, an annual period of mourning to commemorate the 7th century death of Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. The observation of Ashura has occasionally triggered sectarian tensions between Sunni and Shi’ite muslims in some countries, though not typically in Oman.

“We are heartened that the government of Oman has neutralized the attackers,” Pakistan’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

Pakistan’s ambassador to Oman was pictured visiting victims of the attack in hospital, according to video the embassy posted on X.

The U.S. embassy in Muscat said it was following reports of the incident.

“U.S. citizens should remain vigilant, monitor local news and heed directions of local authorities,” it said in a statement.

Oman has maintained its neutrality in the turbulent region and mediated in disputes, including between the United States and Iran.

(Reuters)