Just as a prayer service in Lahore, Pakistan was coming to a close two suicide bombers attacked two different churches. One was a Catholic church and the other was a Protestant church that were about a half mile away from each other. The attack resulted in 15 deaths, including the deaths of some children. The people were distraught at the attack on the churches that they devolved into an angry mob. The crowd ended up lynching two suspects that may have been involved in the attacks. One of which was forced away from police in order to lynch him. The angry mob set both the suspects on fire. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, faction of the Pakistan Taliban, took responsibility for the attacks on Sunday.
The scenes after the bombs went off was utter chaos, as one would expect after two attacks and two lynchings. There were images of people wailing and others mourning the victims of the attacks. Sadly, this isn’t the only attack on religious minorities in Pakistan. In 2013, there was an attack at the All Saints Church in Peshawar. The estimate of victims was about 85. And even more tragic was the attack this past December, at a school in Peshawar. This attacked killed at least 150 people, mostly children.
The people who were injured on Sunday’s attack were sent to the hospital and the majority of them were in critical condition. The victims of the bombings were 13 worshipers and two police officers. One of the officers had stopped the suicide bomber from entering the Catholic church, possibly saving some lives. Including the two suspects that were burned to death, the total comes to 17. Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, was abhorred by the attacks on Sunday and is angry with the violence towards the religious minorities of Pakistan. Sharif wishes to strengthen the government’s intention to defend against the Taliban that has caused so much distress.
However, reports from Ehsanullah Ehsan, a spokesperson for the Taliban of Pakistan, said that more attacks on Christians and other religious minorities are still to come. With threats like these, Sharif has no choice but to act act. Sharif has asked for the provincial governments to “take all possible measures,” to protect the people of Pakistan. Reasons behind such violent acts will forever baffle minds. Hopefully, Sharif makes some progress to finding those who were responsible for this heinous act and bring them to justice. Pope Frances has even called for peace in Pakistan.
The Pope has prayed, according to CNN, that “this persecution against Christians, which the world tries to hide, might end and that there will be peace.” For the sake of humanity let’s hope his prayers are answered.
RushHourDaily/Mohsin Raza
