The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a brutal attack on a group of international tourists in Tajikistan that left two Americans dead Sunday.
A total of four people were killed Sunday when a sedan rammed into a group of seven foreign bicyclists who were riding about 60 miles south of Dushanbe, the Tajik capital, according to local police. After the initial impact, multiple attackers “exited the car and stabbed the cyclists with knives,” the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan said in a statement.
Along with the two Americans who were killed, a Swiss and a Dutch tourist also died in the attack, CBS News reported, citing Tajik and international officials.
ISIS initially claimed responsibility for the attack in a generic statement issued late Monday, but offered no proof that its militants had done it. The group circulated a two-and-a-half minute video Tuesday showing five young men speaking Tajik with Arabic subtitles, pledging fealty to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi but not discussing anything specific about an attack on tourists.
A total of five men were involved in Sunday’s attack, according to Tajik officials. Four suspects were killed and one other was taken into custody Monday, said Interior Minister Ramazon Rakhimzoda, who added that investigators were looking into terrorism ties. (RELATED: ISIS Kills Hundreds In Syria Bombing Spree)
The U.S. Department of State also released a statement Monday condemning the “senseless attack” and expressing “deepest condolences” to the families of the people killed, The Associated Press reported.
Department officials did not provide more details on the attack or the identities of the Americans killed, citing “privacy concerns.”
Send tips to will@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
