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Suicide Attack at Christian Church in Pakistan Kills Dozens Suicide Attack at Christian Church in Pakistan Kills Dozens
(about 2 hours later)
PESHAWAR, Pakistan — A suicide attack on a historic Christian church in northwestern Pakistan killed at least 75 people on Sunday, in one of the deadliest attacks on the Christian minority in Pakistan for years. PESHAWAR, Pakistan — A suicide attack on a historic Christian church in northwestern Pakistan killed at least 75 people on Sunday in one of the deadliest attacks on the Christian minority in Pakistan for years.
The attack occurred as worshipers left the All Saints Church in the old quarter of the regional capital, Peshawar, following a service on Sunday morning. Up to 600 worshipers had attended the service, and were leaving for a distribution of free food on the lawn outside, when two explosions ripped through the crowd. The attack occurred as worshipers left the All Saints Church in the old quarter of the regional capital, Peshawar, following a service on Sunday morning. Up to 600 worshipers had attended the service and were leaving for a distribution of free food on the lawn outside, when two explosions ripped through the crowd.
Dozens of people were killed and more than 100 wounded, said Akhtar Ali Shah, the home secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.Dozens of people were killed and more than 100 wounded, said Akhtar Ali Shah, the home secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The death toll continued to rise as rescue workers sifted through the damaged church property, said Hamid Ullah, a rescue worker with Al Khidmat Foundation, a rescue service operated by the Jamaat-e-Islami political party, said his team has recovered 75 bodies and put them in the coffins. The death toll continued to rise as rescue workers sifted through the damaged church property, said Hamid Ullah, a rescue worker with Al Khidmat Foundation, a rescue service operated by the Jamaat-e-Islami political party. He said his team had recovered 75 bodies.
The dead included women, children and two Muslim police officers who had been posted outside the church. Witness reported scenes of mayhem as rescue workers ferried victims from the church, which witnesses said was scattered with body parts, shrapnel and bloodied clothing.The dead included women, children and two Muslim police officers who had been posted outside the church. Witness reported scenes of mayhem as rescue workers ferried victims from the church, which witnesses said was scattered with body parts, shrapnel and bloodied clothing.
Enraged Christians reacted emotionally as police and rescue workers reached the scene, forcing some to leave.Enraged Christians reacted emotionally as police and rescue workers reached the scene, forcing some to leave.
“As soon as the service finished and the food was being distributed, all of a sudden we heard one explosion, followed by another,” said Azim Ghori, a witness.“As soon as the service finished and the food was being distributed, all of a sudden we heard one explosion, followed by another,” said Azim Ghori, a witness.
Police said it was not clear whether the attack was the work of a lone attacker or two suicide bombers. Muhammad Ilyas, a senior officer in Peshawar, said it was “more likely” that a lone suicide bomber had first thrown a hand grenade before detonating his vest. Police said it was not clear whether the attack was the work of a lone attacker or of two suicide bombers. Muhammad Ilyas, a senior officer in Peshawar, said it was more likely that a lone suicide bomber had first thrown a hand grenade before detonating his vest.
It was the worst attack in years on the Christian minority in Pakistan, and coincides with a broader wave of attacks on religious minorities including Shiite Muslims this year.It was the worst attack in years on the Christian minority in Pakistan, and coincides with a broader wave of attacks on religious minorities including Shiite Muslims this year.
A Muslim mob swarmed through a Christian neighborhood in the eastern city of Lahore in March, torching two churches and more than 100 houses. Christians also frequently find themselves accused of blasphemy under Pakistan’s strict blasphemy laws. In March, a Muslim mob swarmed through a Christian neighborhood in the eastern city of Lahore, torching two churches and more than 100 houses. Christians also frequently find themselves accused of blasphemy under Pakistan’s strict blasphemy laws.
The attacks are mostly orchestrated by Sunni extremist militant groups, although some have also been claimed by the Pakistani Taliban.The attacks are mostly orchestrated by Sunni extremist militant groups, although some have also been claimed by the Pakistani Taliban.
The All Saints Church is one of the oldest in Peshawar and was built during the British colonial era. It is at Kohati Gate in the city’s old quarter, where numerous militant attacks have occurred in recent years, mostly targeting Muslims.The All Saints Church is one of the oldest in Peshawar and was built during the British colonial era. It is at Kohati Gate in the city’s old quarter, where numerous militant attacks have occurred in recent years, mostly targeting Muslims.
The attack coincides with efforts by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to initiate peace talks with the Pakistani Taliban, aimed at ending a decade of violence. An all-parties political conference held earlier this month gave the government approval to start negotiations with the insurgents.The attack coincides with efforts by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to initiate peace talks with the Pakistani Taliban, aimed at ending a decade of violence. An all-parties political conference held earlier this month gave the government approval to start negotiations with the insurgents.
But that offer was publicly rejected by the Taliban, which later claimed responsibility for the killing of a senior army general in Upper Dir, near the Afghan border, last week.But that offer was publicly rejected by the Taliban, which later claimed responsibility for the killing of a senior army general in Upper Dir, near the Afghan border, last week.
Immediately after Sunday’s bombing, questions were again raised about the government’s plans to hold peace talks.Immediately after Sunday’s bombing, questions were again raised about the government’s plans to hold peace talks.
Mr. Sharif condemned the attack. “The terrorists have no religion and targeting innocent people is against the teachings of Islam and all religions,” he said in a statement.Mr. Sharif condemned the attack. “The terrorists have no religion and targeting innocent people is against the teachings of Islam and all religions,” he said in a statement.
The Pakistan Ulema Council, the largest clerical body, also condemned the blast, saying that it was “standing with our Christian brothers in this tragedy.”The Pakistan Ulema Council, the largest clerical body, also condemned the blast, saying that it was “standing with our Christian brothers in this tragedy.”
After the bombing, as people searched for their relatives on the church premises, opposition politicians criticized the provincial government, led by Imran Khan, for failing to send a senior minister to the scene.After the bombing, as people searched for their relatives on the church premises, opposition politicians criticized the provincial government, led by Imran Khan, for failing to send a senior minister to the scene.
“People are dying every day. The government seems to be absent. Chief Minister and other ministers should visit the church,” Mian Iftikhar Hussain, a former provincial minister, said as he visited the church and condoled with grieving protesters.“People are dying every day. The government seems to be absent. Chief Minister and other ministers should visit the church,” Mian Iftikhar Hussain, a former provincial minister, said as he visited the church and condoled with grieving protesters.