Muslims Shooting At Pakistani Christians; 6 Injured
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
(Worthy News) – Six Christians in Pakistan’s second-largest city Lahore are recovering from injuries after Muslims opened fire at Christian residents.
“Five Christian women, one of them pregnant, and one man were injured in the shootings. Three of the six are in a critical condition,” confirmed Barnabas Fund, a Christian charity working in the area.
Christians say up to seven Muslims were involved in this month’s attacks in Lahore’s
Shera Kot district.
One of those attacked was Asif Nawab, according to Christians. He was reportedly returning home from work when an attacker opened fire, injuring him in both legs.
The September 6 attack followed a dispute between a Christian named Asghar and a Muslim, Dilshad Doggar, says local church Pastor Adnan cited by Barnabas Fund.
It was not immediately clear what prompted the dispute. Dilshad Doggar and several armed young Muslims moved towards Asghar’s house following the altercation, Christians said.
“Asghar was not at home at the time and has not returned home since the incident,” added Barnabas Fund.
However, the attackers also fired at several Christians’ houses and the church building injuring several people.
“The Shera Kot police investigated the matter and registered a First Information Report in response to [the injured Christian] Asif Nawab’s complaint.
Ten suspects were arrested, and the two alleged main culprits are also in police custody,” Barnabas Fund told Worthy News, adding that investigations continue.
“The case has been filed under charges of attempted murder rioting with use of deadly weapons,” the group said.
Shera Kot is home to around 60 Christian families who are living among a larger community of Muslims. Since the incident, Christians have reportedly stayed in their homes, and police security has been provided.
However, rights activists say attacks against Christians are becoming more common in Pakistan, mainly an Islamist nation.
In May, at least eight Christians were left with fractured bones after the small Christian community of Chak 5, a village in the Okara region of Punjab province.
It happened after the area “was terrorized by a Muslim mob” of around 200 people, Barnabas Fund said.
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