9 Indian, 4 Pakistani Nationals Likely Dead in New Zealand Terror Attack: Reports

Four Pakistani national were injured and five others are missing in the deadly attack on two mosques in New Zealand which claimed at least 49 lives. Nine persons of Indian origin were also missing after the deadly attacks.

Residents gathering close to the mosque after a firing incident in Christchurch. PHOTO: AFP

Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said in a tweet that the injured are being treated in hospitals, while the Pakistan High Commission in New Zealand is in contact with local authorities to ascertain the identity of the five people who are missing.

Meanwhile, an anchor on a private news channel, Adil Shahzaib, shared the details of five missing Pakistanis on micro-blogging website Twitter. Earlier, High Commissioner Abdul Malik told a private news channel that they are in contact with the local Pakistani community as well as local authorities to find out about casualties.

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He said the affected mosques in Christchurch were established in 1960 and at the time of shooting about 300 people were inside. It was an unprecedented terrorist act in the country’s history, the diplomat added.

Moreover, one gunman, identified as an Australian extremist, apparently live streaming the deadly assault that triggered the lockdown of the New Zealand city. The Pakistani community in the country is over 20,000.

According to Sanjiv Kohli, the High Commissioner of India to New Zealand, nine persons of Indian origin were also missing after the deadly attacks, but official confirmation is still awaited.

As per diplomatic sources, the list of nine names is based on local contacts and hospital sources and a clear picture about the victims was only likely on Saturday, The Wire reported.

“Our Mission is in touch with local authorities to ascertain more details. It is a sensitive matter and therefore we can’t give confirmed numbers/names till we are absolutely certain,” Ministry of External affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in New Delhi.

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