UPDATE 3 - 5 killed in shooting near mosque in Oman

UPDATES DEATH TOLL; ADDS DETAILS; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK; EDITS THROUGH

By Diyar Guldogan, Riyaz ul Khaliq and Rania Abushamala

ISTANBUL (AA) – At least five people were killed and 28 others injured by gunfire near a mosque in Oman's capital Muscat, police said on Tuesday.

A police statement said three attackers and a policeman were also killed in the attack that took place in the Wadi al-Kabir area.

An investigation has been launched into the circumstances of the shooting, it said.

No details were provided about the identity of the victims.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, however, said four Pakistanis were killed in the attack.

"We strongly condemn this cowardly attack and the killing of Muslims in the holy month of Muharram," said Pakistan Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed “deep suddenness” over the “terrorist attack” in Oman.

“My heart goes out to the families of the victims,” Sharif said, adding that Islamabad “stands in solidarity with the Sultanate of Oman and offers full assistance in the investigation.”

Following the shooting, the US Embassy in Muscat issued a security alert, stating: "US citizens should remain vigilant, monitor local news, and follow the instructions of local authorities."