Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday strongly condemned the deadly terror attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, where gunmen opened fire on people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, killing at least 12 people and injuring around a dozen others. Expressing solidarity with Australia, Modi said India stands firmly with the Australian people in their hour of grief and reiterated New Delhi’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism in all its forms.

“Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day 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,” Modi said in a statement.

Attack During Religious Gathering

Australian officials said the shooting occurred on Sunday evening during a Jewish holiday event near Campbell Parade, close to the Bondi Pavilion. Witnesses reported hearing dozens of gunshots as panic spread across the beachfront, with people fleeing in all directions. Emergency services rushed to the scene as ambulances and police units cordoned off the area.

New South Wales Police confirmed that 12 people were killed at the scene, including one of the attackers, while the second suspect was arrested and remains in custody. Around a dozen people were injured, some of them critically. Police said the two gunmen had been “neutralised” during the operation, and a rifle was recovered.

Explosive Devices Found, Terror Probe Launched

Authorities later revealed that several improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were discovered inside a vehicle parked on Campbell Parade. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the car was linked to the deceased attacker and that the rescue bomb disposal unit had been deployed to secure the area.

Following confirmation by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that the shooting was being treated as a terror attack, the New South Wales Police Counter-Terrorism Command was tasked with leading the investigation, supported by the State Crime Command. Albanese described the scenes at Bondi as “shocking and distressing” and said emergency responders were working tirelessly to save lives. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said Australians were “in deep mourning” after hateful violence struck an iconic public space.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the incident “deeply distressing” and extended condolences to those affected. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said he was “appalled by the murderous shooting attack” at a Hanukkah event, calling it a manifestation of rising anti-Semitic violence.