PM Modi condemns ‘cowardly terrorist attack’ in New Orleans that killed 15
India on Thursday condemned the assault by an Islamic State-inspired US Army veteran in New Orleans that killed 15 people and injured more than 30, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi denouncing the incident as a “cowardly terrorist attack”.
Shamsuddin Bahar Jabbar, 42, a US citizen and an army veteran from Texas, drove a pickup truck at a high speed into revellers celebrating the New Year at Bourbon Street, one of the most popular public spaces in New Orleans, early on Wednesday.
He was subsequently killed in a shootout with police after crashing the truck.
“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,” Modi said in a post on X.
India’s condemnation came soon after US President Joe Biden said in a short televised address that the attacker was “inspired by” the Islamic State and had posted videos on social media that indicated he had a “desire to kill”.
Biden also said he was briefed on the attacker’s social media posts by law enforcement officials who were looking into his possible ties to the Islamic State. US media reports cited law enforcement officials as saying that Jabbar had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in some of the videos.