• PM Modi's reaction to over 60 lives lost in Moscow terror attack, ISIS claims responsibility for the attack

    International
    PM Modi's reaction to over 60 lives lost in Moscow terror attack, ISIS claims responsibility for the attack
    The attack has been claimed by the terrorist organization Islamic State (ISIS) according to a statement that was shared on social media networks that it controls......

    Digital desk: In Russia's capital city of Moscow, a big music hall was attacked by gunmen who fired gunshots inside, resulting in at least 60 lives and over 100 injuries. The concert hall was also set on fire by the attackers. Days after Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, strengthened his hold on power following a resounding win in the national elections, the heinous attack took place. 

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has denounced the attack. "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," Prime Minister Modi said on X early on Saturday.

    The attack has been claimed by the terrorist organization Islamic State (ISIS) according to a statement that was shared on social media networks that it controls. At this point, it is unknown what became of the attackers. The fire caused the performance hall's roof to collapse.

    The assailants broke into Crocus City Hall, a 6200-seat music venue located on the western outskirts of Moscow. Shortly after the attack, information was sent to Vladimir Putin.

    The Russian rock group Picnic was performing in the auditorium where the injured and dead were gathered. According to some Russian news reports, the fire that broke out when the attackers tossed bombs may have trapped more people.

    Not much is known about the attackers as of now. The attackers, according to the officials, were wearing combat fatigues. Videos uploaded by Russian media and on Telegram channels featured continuous gunshots. One featured two armed individuals moving around the arena. Four assailants appeared, brandishing assault rifles and donning caps as they fired shots at those who were yelling at close range. 

    There were no guns among the music hall security. According to several Russian news outlets, the assailants left the area before the arrival of Russian special troops. The attackers could have left the scene in several vehicles, which the authorities were searching for.

    In a statement, Islamic State claimed to have killed and injured hundreds of people when it struck a sizable assembly of "Christians" in Krasnogorsk, a town outside of Moscow. The statement's veracity has not yet been confirmed. 

    Within the previous few weeks, IS has been active in Russia. Russia's top security service announced on March 7 that it had stopped an Islamic State cell from attacking a synagogue in Moscow. A few days prior, Ingushetia, in Russia's unstable Caucasus region, was the scene of a gunfight that claimed the lives of six suspected IS members, according to Russian police.

    The deputy head of Russia's Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, issued a warning, saying that anyone found to be complicit in Ukraine's actions would be apprehended and executed without mercy. In the meantime, Ukraine has refuted any involvement. Advisor to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, Mykhailo Podolyak, stated that his nation "has never resorted to the use of terrorist methods". 

    The US Embassy in Moscow issued an advisory earlier this month advising Americans to stay away from public areas due to "imminent" plans by extremists to target major gatherings, such as concerts. There was "no advance knowledge that we had of this terrible attack," according to a senior US official.
    The terrorists reportedly started firing before throwing grenades and incendiary bombs. 

    The police are looking into the terror connection, and Putin has been kept up to date. The "bloody terrorist attack" was described by Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry. "This disgusting crime must be denounced by the entire international community," she stated on Telegram. 

    According to the US administration, the incident was deemed "terrible" and there was no apparent indication of any connection to the situation in Ukraine. The strike was branded as a Russian provocation by Ukraine's military intelligence, which also claimed that the nation's secret services were responsible.