Four Pakistanis injured in New Zealand mosque attacks, five missing: FO

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office of Pakistan said Friday that four Pakistani nationals were injured, while five were still missing after the horrific terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The wounded Pakistani nationals were being treated at hospitals, said Dr Mohammad Faisal, a spokesperson for the Foreign Office of Pakistan.

He added, "Identities [of missing Pakistanis] are being authenticated in consultation with local authorities."

Attacks on the two Christchurch mosques left at least 49 dead Friday, with one gunman — identified as an Australian extremist — apparently livestreaming the assault that triggered the lockdown of the New Zealand city.

Terrorist who attacked New Zealand mosque published manifesto, livestreamed shooting

Australian PM Scott Morrison confirmed the attacker at the Masjid al Noor mosque was an Australian

In what appeared to be the worst attack against Muslims in a western country, witnesses spoke of victims being shot at close range, with women and children believed to be among those killed.

The gunman at one mosque was an Australian-born citizen, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in Sydney, describing him as "an extremist, right-wing, violent terrorist".

It was not immediately clear how many attackers were involved, but New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said three men had been taken into custody and added that they were on the security watchlist.

Two IEDs (improvised explosive devices) were also found and neutralised by the military, police said.