Deadly Attack on Christians in Pakistan

Christians are considered the second largest religious minority in Pakistan after Hindus. They have consistently been targets of bloody attacks by extremist Islamists. In the latest attack on a church in Quetta, at least 8 people were killed.

During a suicide attack on a church in the city of Quetta, Pakistan on Sunday (December 17 / December 26) at least 8 people were killed and 16 others were injured.

According to official sources in Balochistan province, two individuals wearing suicide vests and armed with automatic weapons attacked the Methodist Church. One of them was killed by security forces during an exchange of gunfire. The second attacker, who managed to reach the church grounds, detonated himself after being wounded.

At the time of the attack, 400 people were present in prayer services at the church. According to reports, a number of women and children were among the victims of this attack.

Christians as a Target of Extremist Islamists

In recent years, Christians, who constitute the second largest religious minority in Pakistan after Hindus, have repeatedly been subjected to bloody attacks by extremist Islamists.

One of the largest such attacks occurred in Peshawar in 2013, in which 84 people were killed. An attack on a Christian center in 2015 in Lahore left 15 victims.

Pakistani media outlets have released footage of gunfire between security forces and terrorists during Sunday’s attack. So far, no group has claimed responsibility for this attack.

In Balochistan province of Pakistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, along with extremist Islamists, separatist groups are also engaged in armed confrontation with the central government.

Source: DW