Austria has described this as an attack on the values that the country stands for

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned the dastardly terror attacks in Vienna on Monday evening.

Reiterating his support for the victims and the country, the Prime Minister said on Twitter on Tuesday, "Deeply shocked and saddened by the dastardly terror attacks in Vienna. India stands with Austria during this tragic time. My thoughts are with the victims and their families."



Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz thanked PM Modi for the message.

“Thank you very much for your kind words of solidarity and support! This means a lot to us in these difficult times. #Austria will not be intimidated by such horrific acts of terror. Together we will defend our open societies and democratic values,” he said on Twitter.

On Monday evening, at around 8 PM, gunmen opened fire at six locations including near a synagogue in the center of Vienna, killing at least three people and wounding several more. According to the Vienna police, the terror attacks were carried out by "several suspects armed with rifles.”

The attacks were devastating and left three civilians - two men and a woman killed with at least 15 others wounded, including a police officer, according to the police.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Austrian Minister Karl Nehammer confirmed the presence of at least one Islamist terrorist. He further said that it was an attack on the values of Austria.

"We experienced an attack yesterday evening by at least one Islamist terrorist, a situation that we have not had to live through in Austria for decades," Nehammer said.

“Austria for more than 75 years has been a strong democracy, a mature democracy, a country whose identity is marked by values and basic rights, with freedom of expression, rule of law, but also tolerance in human coexistence. Yesterday’s attack is an attack on just these values,” he added.

After the attacks, police sealed off much of the central Vienna overnight, urging the public to shelter in place. Many sought refuge in bars and hotels, while public transport throughout the old town was shut down and police scoured the city.

Condolences poured in from around the world, with top officials from the European Union, France, Norway, Greece and the United States expressing their shock at the attacks.

U.S. President Donald Trump said in a tweet that "our prayers are with the people of Vienna after yet another vile act of terrorism in Europe. These evil attacks against innocent people must stop. The U.S. stands with Austria, France, and all of Europe in the fight against terrorists, including radical Islamic terrorists.”



President Emmanuel Macron of France, which has experienced two serious attacks in recent weeks, tweeted that "we French share the shock and sorrow of the Austrian people".