India condemns Jordan church attack, 7 killed in Karak shooting
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
India on Saturday, 25 October 2026, strongly condemned the deadly shooting attack at a church in Karak, southern Jordan, which killed seven people and injured 34 others during a funeral service. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a formal statement expressing solidarity with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and reaffirming India's commitment to the global fight against terrorism.
What Happened in Karak
The attack was carried out by unidentified individuals during a funeral gathering at a church in Karak governorate, according to a statement by the Jordanian Public Security Directorate. The directorate confirmed that investigations are proceeding intensively to identify the perpetrators. Jordan's King Abdullah II described the incident on social media platform X as a 'terrorist attack' and vowed that it 'will be met with the harshest retaliation.'
Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan chaired an emergency meeting in Karak to oversee the authorities' response. Minister of Government Communication Mohammad Al-Momani characterised the incident as a 'heinous terrorist crime.'
India's Official Response
The MEA said in its statement: '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.'
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar posted on X expressing being 'deeply shocked at the heinous attack at a Church in Karak, Jordan,' conveying condolences to bereaved families and reiterating India's solidarity with the Jordanian government and people.
International Condemnation
UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the attack on Friday, with his spokesman Stéphane Dujarric stressing that 'attacks against civilians and places of worship are unacceptable.' Guterres called for those responsible to be identified and brought to justice, and affirmed that the United Nations stands with Jordan.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi offered personal condolences to King Abdullah II, describing the incident as a 'treacherous terrorist attack' and stating that 'Egypt fully condemns these horrendous acts, which violate all human values.'
Context and Significance
The attack on a place of worship during a funeral — a moment of communal mourning — has drawn particular revulsion from the international community. Karak, a southern governorate of Jordan, is historically a mixed-faith region, and the targeting of a church underscores growing global concerns about attacks on minority religious communities. This is among the most serious incidents of violent attack on a Christian place of worship in Jordan in recent memory.
India's swift condemnation is consistent with its broader diplomatic posture of zero tolerance toward terrorism and reflects the warm bilateral ties between New Delhi and Amman. As global calls for accountability intensify, Jordan's security forces are expected to face pressure to make rapid arrests.