Pakistan: Two Christians killed leaving church, gunned down by Islamic State during motorcycle drive-by
At least two members of the Christian community were killed and five others injured in a firing incident near a church in Quetta, DawnNewsTV reported. The local Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack
DIG Quetta Abdur Razzaq Cheema said the incident occurred as the Christians were exiting from Sunday service at a church in Essa Nagri area of the provincial capital.
photo/Islamic State flag
Unidentified attackers were riding a motorbike when they opened fire on the congregation, killed the two and injuring others. The DIG added that those injured were rushed to Bolan Medical Complex in Quetta.
Police official Abdul Razzaq Cheema said that “Four men on two motorbikes opened indiscriminate fire” on a group of Christians, “killing two people while injuring three others.”
“Around 500” protesters blocked a road by placing the bodies of the two victims in the middle, said local official Javed Anwar Shawani. “We are negotiating with them to make them disperse and bury” the victims, he added.
Militants have in the past attacked Christians and other religious minorities in Balochistan.
“The Christian community in Quetta has yet again become a target of rising intolerance and violence in society,” Pakistan’s National Commission for Justice and Peace said in a statement. “[We] strongly condemn these acts of terrorism and violence.”
“The Christian community is feeling insecure and threatened,” Pastor Simon of Bethel Memorial Methodist Church in Quetta told ICC. “We are not safe at places of worship, schools, or residential apartments. The majority of Christians are so depressed they are not sending their children to school and even avoid going to gatherings such as social or religious events.”
William Stark, ICC’s Regional Manager, said, “We here at International Christian Concern stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Pakistan in condemning this heinous attack. No one should fear being attacked and killed because of their religious identity. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Christians in Quetta have had to face this extreme violence. Pakistan’s authorities must do more to secure Christians and their places of worship. Pakistan must also make efforts to root out the extremist elements perpetrating these attacks. Until then, it is likely that attacks on the Christian community of Quetta will continue.”
