Two attackers killed as angry people protest attacks on churches
_0.jpg "15 people killed in twin suicide blasts in Lahore church")
Pakistani Christians and rescue workers gather outside a church damaged from a suicide bombing attack in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, March 15, 2015. Suicide bombers exploded themselves near two churches in the eastern city of Lahore on Sunday as
Islamabad: At least 15 people were killed and over 80 wounded when twin blasts “targeting 2 churches that rocked the Christian neighbourhood in Lahore on Sunday, leading to protests by the Christian community in various cities.” Two people have also been killed by the protesters over Taliban links. Police said the blasts occurred during prayers near two churches in Youhanabad area which is home to more than 1,00,000 Christians.
“The death toll is expected to rise as some of the wounded are in critical condition. Emergency has been declared in the hospitals,” said a government official.
“A policeman was among the dead. The churches were the targets,” he said adding, the blast occurred when the Christians were praying. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan splinter group Jamaatul Ahrar claimed responsibility.
Upto 4,000 Christians later took to the streets of Lahore, many armed with clubs as they smashed vehicles and attacked a city bus station in a rare show of anger.
Sunday’s attacks were the worst on the community since a devastating double suicide-bombing in Peshawar in September, 2013, that killed 82 people which came months after more than 3,000 Muslim protesters torched some 100 houses as they rampaged through Joseph Colony, another Christian neighbourhood of Lahore, following blasphemy allegations against a Christian man.
Thousands of Christians, who clashed with police on Sunday, attacked their cars with stones and sticks, as women wept and beat their heads and chests.
The protesters, some wearing crosses round their necks, later turned on the city’s bus rapid transit system, a signature project of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Zaeem Qadri, a spokesman for the Punjab provincial government, said efforts were being made to talk to the protesters to stop the rioting.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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