Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
Amman/New Delhi, Oct 24: India on Saturday strongly condemned the attack on a church in Jordan’s southern governorate of Karak, which left seven people dead and 34 others injured, and expressed solidarity with the Jordanian government and its people.
The shooting took place during a funeral in Karak, according to the Jordanian Public Security Directorate, which reported the casualties on Friday.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the attack and conveyed India’s support to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan during the difficult period.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wish a swift recovery to those injured in this cowardly attack. We also reaffirm our strong commitment to the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” the MEA said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also expressed shock over the attack and extended condolences to the families of the victims.
“Deeply shocked at the heinous attack at a Church in Karak, Jordan yesterday, which resulted in the tragic loss of several innocent lives and injuries to many others,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.
He reiterated that India stood firmly with the Jordanian government and people and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
A spokesperson for the Jordanian Public Security Directorate said the attack was carried out by unidentified individuals. Investigations are being conducted intensively to establish the circumstances of the incident and identify those responsible.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II described the incident as a “terrorist attack” in a post on X and said it would be met with the harshest retaliation, Xinhua news agency reported.
Minister of Government Communication Mohammad Al-Momani said on X that Prime Minister Jafar Hassan would chair a meeting in Karak to oversee the authorities’ response to what he described as a “heinous terrorist crime”.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also strongly condemned the attack on Friday, stressing that assaults on civilians and places of worship were unacceptable.
“Places of worship must be places of peace and must be safe for all,” his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
Guterres called for those responsible to be identified and brought to justice. He also expressed his deepest condolences to the victims’ families and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
The UN reaffirmed its solidarity with the government and people of Jordan.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi also conveyed his condolences to King Abdullah II and the Jordanian people over the deaths in what he described as a “treacherous terrorist attack”.
“Egypt fully condemns these horrendous acts, which violate all human values,” Sisi said in a statement issued by the Egyptian Presidency.