DUBAI: Terrorists attacked a shrine in the Iranian city of Shiraz on Wednesday, killing at least 15 people, state news agency Irna said.

Irna described the attackers as “takfiri terrorists”. The attackers were in a car and shot at pilgrims and staff at the entrance to the shrine of Shah Cheragh, the agency quoted witnesses as saying.

Police arrested two of the three terrorists and were looking for the third. The semi-official Tasnim news agency said that several women and children were among the dead.

The attack took place on the same day the Iranian security forces allegedly opened fire on mourners who gathered in Amini’s Kurdish home town of Saqez, according to a witness.

“Riot police shot mourners who gathered at the cemetery for Mahsa’s memorial ceremony ... dozens have been arrested,” the witness said. Iranian authorities were not available to comment.

Iran’s semi-official ISNA news agency said about 10,000 people had gathered at the cemetery, adding that the internet was cut off after clashes between security forces and people there.

Videos on social media showed thousands of Iranians marching towards the cemetery where Amini is buried despite the heavy presence of riot police.

Activists had called for protests across the country to mark 40 days since she died after being detained for “inappropriate attire”.

A witness said “men and women have gathered around Amini’s grave at the Aichi cemetery in Saqez, chanting ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’”. Another witness in Saqez said the cemetery was filled with members of the volunteer Basij militia and riot police.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2022