India on Saturday condemned a terrorist attack on a church in Jordan that killed eight people and injured nearly 40, with external affairs minister S Jaishankar expressing solidarity with the Jordanian people and reiterating the government’s commitment to the fight against all forms of terrorism.
Three gunmen opened fire at Saint George’s Greek Orthodox Church in Hamoud, in Jordan’s Karak governorate, on Friday while hundreds of people were attending a funeral. Jordanian authorities described the rare attack on the country’s Christian minority as a terrorist act by "extremists". No group has so far claimed responsibility.
A statement from the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said India “unequivocally condemns the heinous attack” that resulted in the loss of innocent lives and injuries to several others. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared the statement on X, extending condolences to the bereaved families and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
“India stands firmly with the Government and the friendly people of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in this difficult hour. We also reaffirm our strong commitment to the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” Jaishankar said.
Gunmen open fire during funeral
On Friday, gunmen fired at the church in Karak, around 180 kilometres south of Jordan’s capital, Amman. The attack initially left seven people dead and around 40 injured, according to the Associated Press. Reuters later updated the death toll to eight.
{{/usCountry}}On Friday, gunmen fired at the church in Karak, around 180 kilometres south of Jordan’s capital, Amman. The attack initially left seven people dead and around 40 injured, according to the Associated Press. Reuters later updated the death toll to eight.
{{/usCountry}}Footage aired on Jordan’s state-run Al-Mamlaka television showed three men firing at the church from a sidewalk and taking cover behind trees and a low wall before moving towards the entrance. The footage reportedly showed two gunmen firing pistols, followed by a third man who appeared to be carrying a semiautomatic rifle. Witnesses said the attackers fired for several minutes.
Maj Gen Abdallah al-Maaytah, head of Jordan’s Public Security Directorate, said the search for the attackers was ongoing. Interior minister Mazin Al Farrayeh said the shooting was carried out by “extremists”, but it was too early to determine whether they were linked to groups operating inside or outside Jordan.
Jordan vows tough action
Jordan’s King Abdullah II visited Karak following the attack and vowed a strong response, saying the perpetrators would be punished with an “iron fist”.
“The terrorist attack against Karak will be met with the harshest retaliation. Those who delude themselves into thinking that they can divide Jordanians with their bullets have no chance in the face of our unity,” he said in a statement.
The shooting also drew condemnation from several countries in the region, including Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Oman. Iraq expressed solidarity with Jordan and reaffirmed its support for the country in its fight against terrorism.