A night of music turned into a nightmare for fans of ‘Picnic’ who were at Crocus City Hall to see the performance of their band but were stormed by masked gunmen. At least 62 people were killed and over 145 injured in a brazen attack. The Islami State (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for the attack at the concert venue complex near Moscow.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday condemned the “heinous terrorist 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,” PM Modi wrote on X.
The assault unfolded shortly before 8:00 pm local time, just as the Russian rock band was about to take the stage. The assailants stormed the venue wielding automatic rifles and opened fire immediately towards the crowd. According to the state-run RIA Novosti, the armed individuals hurled either a grenade or an incendiary bomb, igniting a fire at the scene. After the chaos, the assailants escape in a white Renault car.
Video footage from the scene depicted the horrifying ordeal faced by the attendees, who desperately sought refuge amidst gunfire and explosions, only to witness the concert hall engulfed in flames.
The attack has sent shockwaves through Moscow and beyond. Crocus City Hall, a sprawling complex hosting concerts and exhibitions, is a popular entertainment venue. The Friday night concert was a full-house, with hundreds of music fans attending the event.
President Putin offered his condolences to the victims’ families, calling the attack a “despicable act of cowardice.” He vowed to step up counterterrorism efforts and defend Russia from “those who seek to sow fear and violence.” Hospitals across the city are treating the injured, many of whom are in critical condition. Authorities urge residents to donate blood and offer support services to those affected by the tragedy.
In addition to India’s expression of solidarity, the United States has also weighed on the tragic event. US officials confirmed ISIS’s claim of responsibility for the attack and revealed that intelligence had been gathered indicating a potential threat from ISIS-K, the Afghanistan-base brand of ISIS, targeting Moscow. Despite the issuance of public warnings about the worrying threat, the extent of intelligence sharing with Russian counterparts remains the subject of speculation. The failure to prevent the loss of innocent lives despite prior knowledge of the threat underscores the challenges inherent in combating terrorism.
The investigation into the Crocus City Hall attack is ongoing. Authorities are scouring the scene for evidence and piecing together the timeline of events. The focus is on identifying the attackers, their motives, and any potential accomplices.
India’s unwavering support for Russia in the wake of this tragedy serves as a testament to the solidarity and resilience of nations in the face of adversity. As the investigation progresses, the world waits with bated breath for the answers, while Moscow struggles to heal in the wake of this horrific tragedy.
