Christchurch mosque terror attack: Nine people of Indian origin or nationality 'missing', PM Modi condemns attack

Prime Minister has expressed his deep shock and sadness at the loss of scores of innocent lives in the heinous terrorist attack at the places of worship in Christchurch today. 

In a letter addressed to H. E. Ms. Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, he expressed his deepest condolences to the families bereaved in this dastardly attack, offered heartfelt prayers for the speedy recovery of the injuried and underscored India’s solidarity with the friendly people of New Zealand at this difficult time. 

The Prime Minister stressed India’s strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and of all those who support such acts of violence. He stressed that hatred and violence have no place in diverse and democratic societies.

Nine persons of Indian origin/nationality are ‘missing’. One of them is believed to be Ahmed Iqbal Jahangir (seen in picture) , who has relatives in Hyderabad.

#Hyderabad-Khurshid Jahangir,brother of Ahmed Jahangir who was injured in #NewZealandShooting: My brother was injured & is now recovering in a hospital. He is currently undergoing surgery. We have seen in the video he has been shot in the chest. We're trying to reach the Embassy. pic.twitter.com/Lt94JE4Xyr

— ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2019

Indian envoy confirms 9 persons of Indian nationality/origin missing #NewZealandMosqueShooting https://t.co/NkTzl2WTKM

— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) March 15, 2019

India's High Commission in New Zealand on Friday said that any Indian national affected by the attacks on two Christchurch mosques can contact the mission for assistance.
At least 49 worshippers were killed in attacks on the Al Noor Mosque in central Christchurch and the Linwood Mosque in the city's outer suburb, in what appeared to be the worst attack on Muslims in a western country.
Expressing shock over the incident, the mission tweeted two contact numbers 021803899 and 021850033 for providing assistance.
"We are shocked to hear about the shooting in Christchurch. Any Indians needing assistance should contact us at 021803899 or 021850033," the Twitter account of the Indian High Commission in New Zealand said.

"Our prayers go out to everyone who is affected. Help us spread the word. Stay safe!!" it said.
There was no immediate reports of any Indian affected in the incident.
Approximately 200,000 Indian and Indian-origin people live in New Zealand. There are over 30,000 Indian students in the country, according to the Indian High Commission's data on its website.

A video from #ChristChurch shows one Ahmed Jehangir who was shot. His brother Iqbal Jehangir is a resident of Hyderabad & would like to go to NZ for Ahmed’s family.

I request @KTRTRS @TelanganaCMO @MEAIndia @SushmaSwaraj to make necessary arrangements for the Khursheed family

— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) March 15, 2019

These are Mr. Khursheed’s passport details. His brother is serious & his family has little support. I’m only requesting the immediate support of your good offices in expediting his visa process. He’ll make all arrangements to travel to NZ by himself pic.twitter.com/vXMbnZeJ2X

— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) March 15, 2019

Forty people were killed and 20 more were seriously injured in armed assaults on two Christchurch mosques Friday, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.

"It is clear that this can now only be described as a terrorist attack," she said. "From what we know, it does appear to have been well planned."

"Two explosive devices attached to suspect vehicles have now been found and they have been disarmed," she added.

"This is one of New Zealand's darkest days," Ardern had earlier said. "Clearly what has happened here is an extraordinary and unprecedented act of violence." 

"Many of those who would have been affected by this shooting may be migrants to New Zealand," Ardern said.

"They may even be refugees here. They have chosen to make New Zealand their home and it is their home ... they are us. The persons who has perpetuated this violence against us ... have no place in New Zealand."

U.S. President Donald Trump condemned the "horrible massacre" at two mosques in New Zealand on Friday, a deadly attack that killed 49 people in what the White House called a "vicious act of hate." The massacre during Friday prayers wounded more than 40 others in the country's worst-ever mass shooting, which Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern condemned as terrorism. "My warmest sympathy and best wishes goes out to the people of New Zealand after the horrible massacre in the Mosques. 49 innocent people have so senselessly died, with so many more seriously injured. The U.S. stands by New Zealand for anything we can do," Trump wrote in a post on Twitter.

Earlier, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement that the United States strongly condemned the attack. "The United States strongly condemns the attack in Christchurch. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with the people of New Zealand and their government against this vicious act of hate,” Sanders said. New Zealand police said three people were in custody including one man in his late 20s who was charged with murder. The accused gunman's manifesto praised Trump as "a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose." The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Witnesses told media that a man dressed in a military-style, camouflage outfit, and carrying an automatic rifle had started randomly shooting people in the Al Noor mosque.

#NewZealandMassShooting: Witness describe events of attack#ChristchurchMosqueAttack pic.twitter.com/E6WBj3GZX2

— WION (@WIONews) March 15, 2019

Video footage widely circulated on social media, apparently taken by a gunman and posted online live as the attack unfolded, showed him driving to one mosque, entering it and shooting randomly at people inside.

After parking his vehicle he took two guns and walked a short distance to the entrance of the mosque.

He then opened fire. Over the course of five minutes, he repeatedly shoots worshippers, leaving well over a dozen bodies in one room alone. He returned to the car during that period to change guns, and went back to the mosque to shoot anyone showing signs of life.

Worshippers, possibly dead or wounded, lay huddled on the floor of the mosque, the video showed.

The online video footage appeared to have been captured on a camera strapped to the gunman's head.

The third cricket Test between New Zealand and Bangladesh has been cancelled in the wake of the shooting. The visiting team narrowly escaped the shooting after arriving at the mosque for Friday prayers.

The Bangladesh cricket team was in Christchurch to play New Zealand in a third cricket Test which was scheduled to start at Hagley Oval on Saturday.

New Zealand Cricket said they had decided to cancel the Test after discussions with the Bangladesh Cricket Board.

The Bangladesh cricket team was going to Friday prayers at the mosque, the Masjid Al Noor, when the shooting occurred but all members were safe, a team coach told Reuters.

New Zealand police detained four people on Friday after mass shootings at two mosques in the city of Christchurch.

"Four are in custody. Three are men and one is a woman," New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush told reporters in Wellington. 

"There were a few reports of IEDs strapped to vehicles which we were able to secure," he said, referring to improvised explosive devices.

He said it was not possible to assume that the attack was isolated to Christchurch, saying: "At this point in time we should never make assumptions." 

New Zealand police issued a statement on Twitter saying they are dealing with two shootings at two mosques in Christchurch. 

"Police continue to respond to an ongoing serious and tragic firearms incident in Christchurch. The incident remains fluid and information is still coming to hand. We can confirm that Police have been dealing with two shootings at two mosques in Christchurch. One at Deans Avenue and one at Linwood Avenue. Those locations remain locked down. We can confirm there have been a number of fatalities. We cannot at this stage confirm the precise number but it is significant. So far, four people, three men and a woman, have been taken into custody after being apprehended by Police. We are speaking with those people. Police are still treating this incident as ongoing and Christchurch residents are strongly urged to stay indoors and keep safe, and monitor the Police website and social media for further information. We continue to utilise every possible resource to resolve the situation. Police work with a number of agencies in preparation for events of this nature and we have plans and procedures in place which we are following. We are receiving assistance from NZDF Ambulance, Fire and Emergency NZ, and wider http://Government.At  this stage we will not be discussing the offenders’ possible motivations or the causes of this incident. We have asked all mosques nationally to shut their doors, and advise that people refrain from visiting these premises until further notice. The lock down of schools through Christchurch has been lifted. We thank the public for their ongoing cooperation. We would like to reassure members of the public that there is a large Police presence in the city," it said. 

One of four people detained in New Zealand after mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch is Australian, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday.

"I can confirm that the individual who was taken into custody I have been advised is an Australian-born citizen," he told reporters in Sydney.

"As family members with our New Zealand cousins today, we grieve, we are shocked, we are appalled, we are outraged, and we stand here and condemn absolutely the attack that occurred today by an extremist, right-wing, violent terrorist."