Jordanian Public Security Directorate: 6 dead, 28 injured in shooting in Karak

Kuwait City, Oct 23 (KUNA) -- The Jordanian Public Security Directorate announced on Friday the death of six people and the injury of 28 others following an attack by unidentified gunmen in the Karak governorate in southern Jordan. The Jordan News Agency (Petra) quoted a spokesperson for the Public Security Directorate as saying that the criminal incident, carried out by unknown perpetrators against a funeral in Karak, resulted in six deaths and 28 injuries. He added that “investigations are underway, and we will provide updates on the findings as they become available.”

This statement followed earlier reports by Petra quoting the Public Security Directorate, which said that “unidentified gunmen opened fire inside a church in Karak governorate, resulting in several deaths and injuries, and the individuals involved are being pursued.” Petra also reported that the Public Security Directorate later warned against circulating any information regarding the shooting incident at a funeral in Karak, emphasizing the necessity to adhere strictly to official statements issued on a timely basis, “under penalty of legal accountability.”

On his part, Government Spokesman and Minister of Communications, Dr. Mohammed Al-Mumani, announced in a post on the social media platform X that Prime Minister Jafar Hassan would chair a security council meeting today at the Karak governorate headquarters, attended by all relevant ministers and officials, to follow up on the actions of all concerned agencies “to deal with this heinous terrorist crime.” Al-Mumani also confirmed in another social media post that “security agencies are actively monitoring the shooting incident in Karak governorate.” He stated that official statements containing verified information would be issued, urging everyone to allow security agencies to carry out their required procedures and to obtain information from official sources.

Meanwhile, Jordanian Health Minister Ibrahim Al-Badour began a field tour in Karak to visit the injured, as confirmed by Petra, which also noted the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister for Local Administration, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, and several other ministers in the governorate to monitor developments in the “tragic terrorist criminal incident.”

Petra further revealed that the Minister of Interior, the Minister of Communications, and the Director of Public Security would hold a press conference in the governorate at approximately 5:30 PM local time.

For his part, Jordan’s Attorney General, Dr. Hassan Al-Abdallat, has issued a publication ban in the investigative case related to the events surrounding the Hamoud Church in Karak governorate. Petra reported that the Attorney General’s decision stipulates that all visual, audio, and print media outlets, as well as social media platforms, must refrain from publishing any news or information related to the subject of the case or the progress of the investigation, or any content that could influence the course of justice, “under the legal and judicial liabilities resulting from such actions.”

The agency clarified that the ban covers all news related to the case or the publication ban itself, with the exception of official government media under the supervision of the Ministry of Communications. It further noted that the decision includes a prohibition on circulating or republishing photos, videos, or information related to the case under investigation, reiterating that the ban applies to all news concerning the case, its publication, and its circulation. (End) M.A.A.