NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the terror attack inside a packed concert hall in Moscow on Saturday, calling it a ‘heinous act’ and expressing support for the Russian government and people. “We strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack on Moscow. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. In this hour of grief, India stands in solidarity with the Russian Federation’s government and people,” PM Modi wrote on his X handle.
We strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack in Moscow. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. India stands in solidarity with the government and the people of the Russian Federation in this hour of grief.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 23, 2024
The assault at the Crocus City Hall concert venue shook Russia’s capital city to its core. According to reports, a group of armed assailants stormed the venue, causing chaos by opening fire and detonating explosives among the unsuspecting crowd. Eyewitness footage from the scene paints a harrowing picture of chaos and terror, with the concert hall engulfed in flames and dense smoke billowing into the air. Among the chaos, terrified concertgoers sought refuge, their screams mixing with the deafening gunfire echoing throughout the venue.
ISIS Claims Responsibility
According to sources, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for the heinous attack, which resulted in at least 60 deaths and 145 injuries. However, the veracity of this claim is yet to be fully established.
The ISIS claim of responsibility was later confirmed by US officials, who had previously warned Russian authorities about intelligence indicating a potential attack. In March, the US received intelligence indicating that ISIS-K, the Afghan branch of ISIS, was planning an attack on Moscow. According to the New York Times, the attack in Moscow on Friday, followed by one in Iran in January, may prompt a reassessment of the country’s ability to strike outside its home territory.
The rapid and coordinated response of local authorities, including the deployment of SWAT teams and the mobilization of more than 70 ambulance teams, emphasizes the gravity of the situation. As efforts to assist the injured continue, it is clear that this brazen act of violence has inflicted profound trauma upon the city of Moscow.
The Russian Health Ministry told TASS that 115 people had been hospitalized, including five children. 60 people are in serious condition. Moscow City Duma Chairman Alexey Shaposhnikov urged Moscow residents to donate blood to help treat victims, stating that “this is a matter of life and death for dozens of people.”
This tragic incident is the deadliest terrorist attack on Moscow in decades, prompting widespread condemnation and solidarity. As the investigation into the attack continues, efforts are underway to provide aid and medical care to those injured. Regional authorities have mobilized emergency response teams and asked citizens to donate blood to help treat the victims.