Thumba (Kerala): A Malayali man, Gabriel Perera, was shot dead by Jordanian soldiers on February 10 while attempting to cross into Israel illegally. Gabriel, a resident of Thumba Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, was killed when he and a group of fellow travellers tried to enter Israel from Jordan.

Gabriel and his companion, Edison, had arrived in Jordan on a visiting visa.

According to reports, the two men, along with two others, attempted to cross the border from Jordan to Israel illegally. When they were confronted by Jordanian soldiers, they fled and sought refuge behind the rocks.

During the confrontation, Gabriel was shot in the head and died on the spot. Edison, who was shot in the leg, was rushed to a hospital for treatment.

Gabriel's family was notified of his death through an email from the Indian embassy. Edison, after receiving medical attention, was sent back to Kerala yesterday. The group had entered Jordan on a three-month visiting visa.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting have sparked protests. It has been revealed that an agent had allegedly assisted the group in their attempt to enter Israel. Local police and intelligence agencies have launched an investigation into the incident and the people involved in facilitating the illegal border crossing.