In a solemn address from New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi vehemently denounced the recent terrorist onslaught that ravaged a concert hall nestled in the heart of Moscow, extending unwavering solidarity to both the Russian administration and its populace amidst this harrowing juncture.
Expressing unequivocal condemnation, the official statement articulated, “We stand resolutely against the abominable act of terrorism witnessed in Moscow. Our heartfelt condolences and prayers are with the bereaved families. India stands shoulder to shoulder with the government and people of the Russian Federation during this distressing moment.”
The assault unfolded on a fateful Friday when a cohort of assailants stormed into a bustling concert hall in Moscow, unleashing a hail of bullets upon the unsuspecting throng, resulting in the tragic demise of approximately 60 individuals, with over 100 left grievously wounded. This grievous incident unfolded mere days subsequent to President Vladimir Putin’s consolidation of authority following a meticulously orchestrated electoral triumph.
In a chilling pronouncement, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the onslaught through a communiqué disseminated by the ISIS-affiliated news agency Amaq on the encrypted messaging platform Telegram, though the veracity of these claims remains unverified.
The rampage, which left the concert hall engulfed in flames, its roof crumbling amidst the chaos, stands as the deadliest assault witnessed in Russia in recent memory, unfolding against the backdrop of the nation’s protracted conflict in Ukraine, now entering its third year. Moscow’s Mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, lamented the tragedy as an immense catastrophe.
The Kremlin promptly apprised President Putin of the unfolding crisis moments after the assailants breached the sanctity of the Crocus City Hall, a sprawling musical venue nestled on the western periphery of Moscow, with a seating capacity of 6,200 patrons.
Haunting visuals captured at the scene of the attack depict the Crocus City Hall engulfed in infernal flames, shrouded in billowing clouds of black smoke, while terrified onlookers seek refuge, their screams echoing amidst the deafening gunfire that pierced the hall’s once vibrant ambiance.
