Pakistan Condemns Jordan Church Attack That Killed Seven at Funeral
Pakistan on Saturday condemned the Jordan church attack in Karak governorate, where gunmen opened fire on mourners at a funeral, killing seven people and injuring dozens.
“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 Foreign Office said in a statement released in Islamabad.
The Foreign Office wished the injured a speedy recovery 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.
How the Jordan church attack unfolded
The attack took place on Friday at the Hamoud Church in Jordan’s Hammoud village, a rare assault on the country’s Christian minority. Seven people were killed and 34 injured, according to agencies, though some reports put the number of wounded above 40.
An eyewitness told Jordanian broadcaster Al-Mamlaka that a vehicle arrived carrying the gunmen, who fired continuously for five minutes before fleeing the scene. Between 150 and 200 people were inside and around the church at the time, the witness said, adding that most of the victims were aged between 50 and 70.
Security camera footage captured the moment the gunmen attacked the entrance to the church. Two of the attackers appeared to be using handguns, while another carried a rifle and had his head covered.
Abdallah al-Maaytah, the head of Jordan’s Public Security Directorate, said most of the wounded remained under treatment, while security forces continued searching for the attackers. Interior Minister Mazin Al Farrayeh described the assailants as “extremists” but said it was too early to establish links to any known group.
King Abdullah vows “harshest retaliation”
King Abdullah visited Karak hours after the shooting and vowed the perpetrators would face the “harshest retaliation,” warning that attempts to divide Jordanians would fail. Jordan’s prime minister said the attack was the result of “terrorist extremist blind thinking.”
Karak is home to a significant Christian community in the Muslim-majority kingdom, and the attack has shaken a country that has largely been spared the sectarian violence seen elsewhere in the region.
Pakistan’s condemnation adds to a wave of international reaction. Islamabad has frequently used its Foreign Office statements to condemn attacks on places of worship, a stance consistent with its positions at the United Nations, where Pakistan has pushed for a fairer global order and stronger protections, as Feature Pakistan reported.
The condemnation also comes amid a tense regional picture. A Saudi-led coalition intercepted Houthi missiles over Riyadh this week, and the eight-month US-Iran war continues to roil the Middle East, as reported here. Pakistan has positioned itself as a mediator in the region’s conflicts, including the US-Iran talks being channelled through Islamabad, as covered here.
Frequently asked questions
What happened at the Jordan church?
On Friday, gunmen opened fire during a funeral at the Hamoud Church in Hammoud village, Karak governorate, Jordan. Seven people were killed and dozens injured in an attack that lasted about five minutes, according to a witness.
What did Pakistan say?
Pakistan’s Foreign Office strongly condemned the “heinous terrorist attack,” expressed condolences to the bereaved families, wished the injured a speedy recovery, and reaffirmed solidarity with Jordan against terrorism in all its forms.
Who carried out the attack?
The attackers remain unidentified. Jordan’s interior minister described them as “extremists” but said it was too early to link them to any known group. Security forces are still searching for them.
How did Jordan’s leadership respond?
King Abdullah visited Karak hours after the shooting and promised the “harshest retaliation,” while the prime minister called the attack the result of “terrorist extremist blind thinking.”
