![grieving members of the public following a shooting at the al noor mosque in christchurch new zealand photo reuters grieving members of the public following a shooting at the al noor mosque in christchurch new zealand photo reuters](https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/1931466-indians-1552830003/1931466-indians-1552830003.jpg)
India's embassy in New Zealand confirmed the deaths in a tweet, following the devastating shootings at twin mosques in the normally peaceful city.
With a very heavy heart we share the news of loss of precious lives of our 5 nationals in ghastly terror attack in #Christchurch
— India in New Zealand (@IndiainNZ) March 16, 2019
Mr. Maheboob Khokhar
Mr. Ramiz Vora
Mr. Asif Vora
Ms Ansi Alibava
Mr. Ozair Kadir@kohli_sanjiv @MEAIndia @SushmaSwaraj 1/3
Three of the dead from the mass shooting at Al Noor mosque were from Gujarat state. They were father and son victims Asif and Ramiz Vora, and 65-year-old retiree Mahboob Khokhar, who was visiting his son in Christchurch.
Ansi Karippakulam Alibava — a 23-year-old from Kerala, who had lived with her husband in Christchurch since last year as she studied for a masters — was also confirmed dead.
The fifth victim, Ozair Kadir, was an aspiring commercial pilot from Hyderabad city.
An Indian foreign ministry official in New Delhi told AFP that they are "in process of ascertaining information about all Indians affected by the terror attack".
Six Pakistanis martyred in Christchurch terror attacks, confirms FO
The official denied Indian media reports that claimed seven people were killed in the attack.
Desperate families in India have been trying to confirm the safety of their relatives after 28-year-old Australian white supremacist Brenton Tarrant allegedly launched his murderous rampage.
Mohsin Vora, the brother of Asif, told AFP that they were initially told his brother and nephew were injured in the attack, before a family member identified their bodies when they flew to New Zealand.
Vora said his 56-year-old brother had gone to meet his new grandchild a month ago.
"I and (the) parents of Ramiz's wife have been granted visas. We will be leaving for New Zealand soon," Vora said.
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