Gunman shot dead, 3 police injured in shooting near Israeli embassy in Jordan

AMMAN: A gunman was dead and three Jordanian policemen injured after a shooting near the heavily fortified Israeli embassy in the capital Amman in Sunday’s early hours, a security source and state media said.

Police shot a gunman who had fired at a police patrol in the affluent Rabiah neighborhood of the Jordanian capital, the state news agency Petra reported, citing public security, adding investigations were ongoing.

Jordan’s Public Security Directorate said in a statement that police pursued the gunman after he opened fire in the area.

“He was chased and surrounded, so he started firing gunshots at the security force, which in turn applied the rules of engagement, which resulted in the killing of the perpetrator,” the statement said.

Jordan’s communications minister, Mohamed Momani, described the shooting as a terrorist attack that targeted public security forces in the country. He said in a statement that investigations into the incident were under way.

“Tampering with the security of the nation and attacking security personnel will be met with a firm response,” Momani told Reuters, adding that the gunman had a criminal record in drug trafficking.

Jordanian police cordoned off an area near the heavily policed embassy after gunshots were heard, witnesses said. Two witnesses said police and ambulances rushed to the Rabiah district, where the embassy is located.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan visited the injured officers in hospital, praising their bravery and swift action during the attack, Petra reported. He commended all security forces for their dedication to safeguarding the nation and ensuring public safety.

This incident comes two months after a retired Jordanian soldier killed three Israelis at a border crossing between Jordan and the Israeli-occupied West Bank before being shot dead by Israeli forces.

* With Reuters