Six people were killed and 28 others injured in Jordan on Friday as unidentified gunmen opened fire at a funeral near a church in the southern Karak governorate, officials said.

Public Security Directorate spokesman Amer Sartawi confirmed the toll in a statement, describing the shooting as a “criminal incident.”

“Investigations are proceeding at full pace, and we will provide updates on their findings as they become available,” he said.

Unidentified gunmen had opened fire near Hamoud Church, causing deaths and injuries, the directorate said, adding that security forces were pursuing the perpetrators.

Public broadcaster Al-Mamlaka TV, citing an unnamed source, reported that two gunmen stepped out of a vehicle and opened fire during a funeral.

An eyewitness told the channel that the assailants fired continuously for about five minutes before fleeing. Between 150 and 200 people were inside and outside the church, the witness said.

Amman Attorney General Hassan Abdallat imposed a publication ban on the case, exempting official state media.

The order prohibits broadcast, print and social media outlets from publishing or circulating news or information about the case or the investigation, including photographs and videos, under threat of legal action.

Jordan's King Abdullah said the "terrorist attack" will be met with the “harshest retaliation.”

"Those who delude themselves into thinking that they can divide Jordanians with their bullets have no chance in the face of our unity," the monarch wrote on US social media platform X. “All Jordanians, from north to south, are partners in land and fate, and nothing stands between them.”

He conveyed his deepest condolences to the families of the martyrs and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. "Every Jordanian life is precious, and we will strike with an iron fist against those who dare to threaten our nation," he said. (AA)