GUWAHATI: At least 60 people have been killed and over 100 have been left injured after a group of gunmen launched a brazen attack on a large concert hall in Russia's capital, Moscow, media reports stated.
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Reportedly, the assailants not only sprayed bullets indiscriminately inside the venue but also set fire to the building, causing chaos and devastation.
The targeted venue, Crocus City Hall, situated on Moscow's western edge, is known for its capacity to accommodate up to 6200 people. The attack occurred during a performance by the renowned Russian rock band Picnic.
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Media reports stated that eyewitnesses described scenes of terror and pandemonium as the attackers stormed the hall, armed with assault rifles and explosives.
This comes days after Vladimir Putin’s landslide victory in the country's elections, further rattling the nation's sense of security.
Authorities have reported that the attackers, clad in combat fatigues, launched repeated volleys of gunfire, leaving many trapped inside the concert hall as the flames engulfed the building. Despite the arrival of Russian special forces, the assailants managed to flee the scene.
The Islamic State (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for the attack, citing it as a targeted assault on a large gathering of "Christians" in the Krasnogorsk area on the outskirts of Moscow, media reports stated.
In recent weeks, Russia has faced increasing threats from ISIS, with security agencies thwarting previous attacks on a synagogue in Moscow and encountering alleged ISIS members in the volatile Caucasus region.
In response to the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India has condemned the heinous act, expressing solidarity with the Russian government and people in their time of grief.
