Pakistan’s foreign affairs ministry on Saturday condemned a “terrorist” attack at a church in Jordan’s Karak Governorate, expressing grief over the loss of at least seven lives and more than 40 injuries.
The assault took place on Friday at a busy church in Jordan’s Hammoud village, targeting mourners attending a funeral. The Jordanian government said the attack was carried out by “unknown assailants.”
Security camera footage captured the moment gunmen attacked the church entrance. Two of the attackers appeared to be using handguns, while another carried a rifle and had his head covered.
“Pakistan strongly condemns the heinous terrorist attack at a funeral procession in a church in Karak Governorate, Jordan, which resulted in the loss of several precious lives, with many injured,” the Pakistani foreign office said.
The foreign office wished a speedy recovery to those injured and expressed condolences to the bereaved families.
“Pakistan stands in firm solidarity with the brotherly people of Jordan in their fight against terrorism, and reiterates its strongest condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” the statement added.
Jordan’s government has vowed to hold those responsible for the attack accountable. Jordan’s King Abdullah II vowed that the attack would 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.
Jordan’s Prime Minister Jafar Hassan said during a security meeting in Karak on Friday that the attack was a result of “terrorist” ideology and blind extremism. He said the assailants will be punished and legal measures taken against those who seek to introduce extremism.
