India stands with Australia: PM Modi condemns 'ghastly' attack

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday strongly condemned the ghastly terrorist attack carried out at Bondi Beach, Australia, on Sunday and said India stood in solidarity with the people of Australia in this hour of grief.

"Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. On behalf of the people of India, I extend my sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. We stand in solidarity with the people of Australia in this hour of grief. India has zero tolerance towards terrorism and supports the fight against all forms and manifestations of terrorism," the Prime Minister wrote on X.

Two gunmen shot dead at least 11 people while 29 people were confirmed wounded on Sunday at Bondi Beach.


Meanwhile, a high-level alert regarding a terror attack on Hanukkah was recently issued in India, sources have said. There were inputs that terrorist organisations were planning major attacks on Jewish establishments in Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai around the Jewish festival, sources said. The eight-day Jewish festival Hanukkah began on Sunday. Sources said the inputs are very serious and security has been increased at specific places.

Among those injured in the shooting is a man who survived the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel and had recently shifted to Australia.

Describing the firing at Sydney's Bondi Beach as a "bloodbath" and an "absolute massacre", the man told 9News, "I was here with my family, it was a Hanukkah celebration, there were hundreds of people, there were children, there were elderly, families enjoying themselves."