TEHRAN: An attacker stabbed to death an Iranian Shia Muslim cleric on Tuesday and wounded two others, one of them seriously, in Mashhad, said officials and state media.

The assailant and four suspected accomplices were arrested after the bloody attack in the Imam Ali Reza shrine’s courtyard, said Mohammad-Hossein Doroudi, the chief prosecutor of the northeastern city.

“The attacker is a foreign national,” he told the Fars news agency, without specifying the country.

Amateur video footage showed a man lying in a pool of blood in the courtyard of the site with golden domes and minarets after the attack.

“A man stabbed three Shia clerics with knives, killing one and wounding two others,” said the governor of Khorasan Razavi province, Yaghoub-Ali Nazari, adding that “one of the injured is in serious condition”.

The Astan Quds Razavi charitable foundation, which runs the shrine, said: “With the vigilance of the pilgrims and the efforts of security forces, the assailant was immediately arrested and handed over to the police, and the injured were quickly taken to the hospital.

“The identity of the assailant is under investigation,” added that foundation, whose large asset portfolio was managed from 2016 to 2019 by Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi.

Iran has a population of 83 million, 90 per cent of whom are Shia Muslims.

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2022

Opinion

Editorial

China security ties
Updated 14 Nov, 2024

China security ties

If China's security concerns aren't addressed satisfactorily, it may affect bilateral ties. CT cooperation should be pursued instead of having foreign forces here.
Steep price
14 Nov, 2024

Steep price

THE Hindu Kush-Himalayan region is in big trouble. A new study unveiled at the ongoing COP29 reveals that if high...
A high-cost plan
14 Nov, 2024

A high-cost plan

THE government has approved an expensive plan for FBR in the hope of tackling its deep-seated inefficiencies. The...
United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.