- WEB DESK
- October 24, 2026
Pakistan condemns Jordan church funeral attack that killed seven, injured 40
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- WEB DESK
- October 24, 2026
Pakistan on Saturday strongly condemned a terrorist attack on a funeral procession at a church in Jordan’s Karak Governorate that killed seven people and injured 40 others, expressing solidarity with the Jordanian government and people.
In a statement, the Foreign Office described the shooting as a “heinous terrorist attack” and extended condolences to the government and people of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, particularly the families of those killed.
Pakistan also wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the attack.
“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 Foreign Office said.
The shooting took place on Friday during a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak, around 180 kilometres south of the Jordanian capital Amman.
Jordanian authorities said seven people were killed and another 40 wounded. Health Minister Ibrahim al-Budour said two of those injured were in critical condition.
Gunmen open fire during funeral
Footage broadcast by Jordanian state television showed two gunmen appearing to carry pistols approaching the church and opening fire. A third man carrying what appeared to be a semiautomatic rifle was then seen approaching and firing before the group ran towards the church.
Witness footage from inside the church showed broken glass and blood on the floor following the attack.
Dorgham Halasa, who was attending the funeral, said heavy gunfire began around 15 minutes after the service started, prompting mourners to run for safety.
Jordanian authorities said the attack had been carried out by unknown assailants and that investigations were proceeding at “full speed”. Officials did not immediately confirm how many attackers were involved or whether any had been arrested or killed.
Jordan subsequently declared three days of national mourning.
King Abdullah II vowed that Jordan would confront those responsible with the “harshest penalties”, while offering condolences to the families of those killed and wishing the wounded a speedy recovery.
Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, speaking during a security meeting in Karak, described the attack as a product of terrorist ideology and extremism and said those responsible would be punished.
Regional condemnation
The attack also drew condemnation from governments and religious leaders across the region, including Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Oman and Iraq.
Al-Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb described the shooting as a “heinous terrorist attack” and offered condolences to the victims’ families.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein also conveyed his country’s solidarity with Jordan in a call with his Jordanian counterpart.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack, describing an assault carried out during a funeral as “especially heinous”, and called for those responsible to be identified and held accountable.
Karak has a minority Christian population and has previously witnessed militant violence. In 2016, gunmen carried out a series of attacks in the area, including near a Crusader castle popular with tourists, killing 10 people, including seven security personnel.
