PM condemns US gurdwara shooting
New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday expressed shock and sadness at the loss of lives and injuries, in a shooting incident at a Gurudwara in Wisconsin, USA which left seven people dead including the gunman.
“I am deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the shooting incident that has resulted in the loss of precious lives and injuries to devotees attending a prayer service at a Gurudwara in Wisconsin, USA," said Singh in a statement.
"That this senseless act of violence should be targeted at a place of religious worship is particularly painful. I send my deepest condolences to the families that have been bereaved in this incident. Our thoughts are with them in this moment of their grief."
"India stands in solidarity with all the peace-loving Americans who have condemned this violence. We welcome the U.S. President's statement on the tragic incident."
"We hope that the authorities will reach out to the grieving families and ensure conditions that such violent acts are not repeated in the future,” the PM said.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has begun investigation into the shooting. At least seven people, including the shooter, were killed and several injured in the incident inside a Sikh gurdwara at Milwaukee area of Oak Creek in Wisconsin state of United States on Sunday.
The white gunman, Wade Michael Page, aged 40, was shot dead by police but he killed six people and wounded three, including a cop, critically first.
He started shooting during the Sunday services. Initial reports said the incident is being treated as an act of domestic terrorism. "We're treating this as a domestic terrorist-type incident," Oak Creek Police Chief John Edwards said.
FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Teresa Carlson in a statement said: "The FBI is working closely with the Oak Creek Police Department and other local and federal agencies to investigate today’s shooting incident."
"This remains an active investigation in its early stages. While the FBI is investigating whether this matter might be an act of domestic terrorism, no motive has been determined at this time," Carlson.
"We know our community has been deeply impacted by this incident, and our thoughts are with those affected and particularly with the officer who was wounded in the line of duty to protect others.”
The gunman barged into the kitchen of the gurdwara in Milwaukee area and started firing.
Women were also inside the kitchen then. According to NBC News quoting officials, "the suspected gunman had no obvious connection to domestic terror or white supremacist groups and apparently was not on any list of suspected terrorists." He had an arrest record for minor offenses, it said quoting a federal official.
Meanwhile, the US Mission in India also joined President Obama in expression of sympathy and condolences to the Sikh communities in the United States and India. "We are deeply saddened by the senseless loss of lives and injuries caused by the August 5 shooting at a Sikh Gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to the victims and their families," a statement issued by the mission said.
"An investigation into the incident has begun. Any incident like this one is tragic, especially when it happens in a place of worship. The United States takes very seriously the responsibility to respect and protect people of all faiths. "Religious freedom and religious tolerance are fundamental pillars of US society. The Sikh community in the United States contributes to this principle and meaningfully enhances the American social fabric," it said.
A police officer was also shot at by the gunman, and he is battling for life in a hospital, reports said. "An officer arrived on scene. He engaged an active shooter. The officer was shot multiple times. He has been transported to a local hospital and is expected to survive. The shooter was put down." said police spokesman Bradley Wentlandt on Sunday. The Ministry of External Affairs sources in New Delhi said they are closely monitoring the situation following the firing and hostage crisis.
Ambassador of India to the USA, Nirupama Rao, tweeted: "Oak Creek shootings. US Law Enforcement authorities are handling situation. Hv to await outcome of their efforts to bring sit under control." She said they were reaching out to senior US officials. "It is an extremely tragic incident," she said.
The Indian embassy in USA also had issued a statement on Sunday. "We have seen reports on the tragic incident earlier today of firing at a group of worshippers in a Gurudwara in the Milwaukee suburb of Oak Creek, Wisconsin.
The Embassy is seized of the situation and has been in touch with the National Security Council in Washington, D.C. "Our Consulate General in Chicago too has been in close touch with the local authorities to monitor the situation. An official has been deputed to visit the site to ascertain the situation on-the-spot," it said.
New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday expressed shock and sadness at the loss of lives and injuries, in a shooting incident at a Gurudwara in Wisconsin, USA which left seven people dead including the gunman.
“I am deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the shooting incident...
New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday expressed shock and sadness at the loss of lives and injuries, in a shooting incident at a Gurudwara in Wisconsin, USA which left seven people dead including the gunman.
“I am deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the shooting incident that has resulted in the loss of precious lives and injuries to devotees attending a prayer service at a Gurudwara in Wisconsin, USA," said Singh in a statement.
"That this senseless act of violence should be targeted at a place of religious worship is particularly painful. I send my deepest condolences to the families that have been bereaved in this incident. Our thoughts are with them in this moment of their grief."
"India stands in solidarity with all the peace-loving Americans who have condemned this violence. We welcome the U.S. President's statement on the tragic incident."
"We hope that the authorities will reach out to the grieving families and ensure conditions that such violent acts are not repeated in the future,” the PM said.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has begun investigation into the shooting. At least seven people, including the shooter, were killed and several injured in the incident inside a Sikh gurdwara at Milwaukee area of Oak Creek in Wisconsin state of United States on Sunday.
The white gunman, Wade Michael Page, aged 40, was shot dead by police but he killed six people and wounded three, including a cop, critically first.
He started shooting during the Sunday services. Initial reports said the incident is being treated as an act of domestic terrorism. "We're treating this as a domestic terrorist-type incident," Oak Creek Police Chief John Edwards said.
FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Teresa Carlson in a statement said: "The FBI is working closely with the Oak Creek Police Department and other local and federal agencies to investigate today’s shooting incident."
"This remains an active investigation in its early stages. While the FBI is investigating whether this matter might be an act of domestic terrorism, no motive has been determined at this time," Carlson.
"We know our community has been deeply impacted by this incident, and our thoughts are with those affected and particularly with the officer who was wounded in the line of duty to protect others.”
The gunman barged into the kitchen of the gurdwara in Milwaukee area and started firing.
Women were also inside the kitchen then. According to NBC News quoting officials, "the suspected gunman had no obvious connection to domestic terror or white supremacist groups and apparently was not on any list of suspected terrorists." He had an arrest record for minor offenses, it said quoting a federal official.
Meanwhile, the US Mission in India also joined President Obama in expression of sympathy and condolences to the Sikh communities in the United States and India. "We are deeply saddened by the senseless loss of lives and injuries caused by the August 5 shooting at a Sikh Gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to the victims and their families," a statement issued by the mission said.
"An investigation into the incident has begun. Any incident like this one is tragic, especially when it happens in a place of worship. The United States takes very seriously the responsibility to respect and protect people of all faiths. "Religious freedom and religious tolerance are fundamental pillars of US society. The Sikh community in the United States contributes to this principle and meaningfully enhances the American social fabric," it said.
A police officer was also shot at by the gunman, and he is battling for life in a hospital, reports said. "An officer arrived on scene. He engaged an active shooter. The officer was shot multiple times. He has been transported to a local hospital and is expected to survive. The shooter was put down." said police spokesman Bradley Wentlandt on Sunday. The Ministry of External Affairs sources in New Delhi said they are closely monitoring the situation following the firing and hostage crisis.
Ambassador of India to the USA, Nirupama Rao, tweeted: "Oak Creek shootings. US Law Enforcement authorities are handling situation. Hv to await outcome of their efforts to bring sit under control." She said they were reaching out to senior US officials. "It is an extremely tragic incident," she said.
The Indian embassy in USA also had issued a statement on Sunday. "We have seen reports on the tragic incident earlier today of firing at a group of worshippers in a Gurudwara in the Milwaukee suburb of Oak Creek, Wisconsin.
The Embassy is seized of the situation and has been in touch with the National Security Council in Washington, D.C. "Our Consulate General in Chicago too has been in close touch with the local authorities to monitor the situation. An official has been deputed to visit the site to ascertain the situation on-the-spot," it said.
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