New Delhi, January 02, 2025.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed strong condemnation on Thursday regarding the alleged ‘terror’ attack in New Orleans that resulted in 15 fatalities.
In his post on X, he said, “We strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist attack in New Orleans. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. May they find strength and solace as they heal from this tragedy.”
On Wednesday, an army veteran with an Islamic State flag in a pickup truck drove into a crowd of New Year’s celebrants in New Orleans, resulting in 15 deaths and numerous injuries.
Suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar was army veteran
FBI identified the attacker as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, aged 42, a Texas-based American citizen. Records indicated his previous employment as a Houston real estate agent and his military service as an IT specialist.
Anne Kirkpatrick, the police superintendent, called Jabbar a “terrorist”, while the FBI confirmed discovering “an Isis flag” in the vehicle.
Biden calls it ‘despicable attack’
US President Joe Biden termed the attack “despicable” and revealed that Jabbar had published online videos before the incident “indicating that he was inspired by Isis.”
Biden additionally mentioned that authorities were investigating possible connections between this incident and a subsequent explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck near a Donald Trump-owned hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday, which resulted in one casualty, whilst noting no established links thus far.
FBI agent Alethea Duncan said on Wednesday that investigations were continuing, noting that authorities “do not believe that Jabbar was solely responsible.”
Global condemnation, condolences for attack
On Thursday, global leaders expressed strong condemnation of the attack on New Year’s Eve celebrants in New Orleans that resulted in at least 15 fatalities and numerous injuries.
United Nations
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “strongly condemns” the attack and “extends his condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives”, according to his spokesperson’s statement.
Pope
“Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury,” said the Vatican’s secretary of state in a message to the New Orleans archbishop, noting the pontiff “prays for the healing and consolation of the injured and bereaved”.
France
“New Orleans, so dear to the hearts of the French, has been struck by terrorism,” said French President Emmanuel Macron on X, posting in both French and English.
The incident occurred in the city’s historic French Quarter.
“Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and the injured, as well as with the American people, whose sorrow we share,” Macron added.
