The official from Herat’s intelligence department told AFP the attack happened in the Kora Milli area of the city, adding seven people were killed and one wounded.

Locals said four women were among the dead and that both clerics were killed.

“They were returning home in a three-wheeler … when they were targeted by unknown gunmen with gunfire,” one resident told AFP.

“The target of this shooting was probably two religious scholars who were Shi’ites,” he said.

Shi’ites are a minority in Afghanistan and are drawn mostly from the Hazara community, a frequent target of attacks by fighters from the Islamic State (IS) group, who consider them heretics.

Violence has reduced dramatically since the Taliban ended their insurgency after seizing power in August 2021, but a number of armed groups – including the regional chapter of IS – remain a threat.