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At least 10 dead in attack on Lahore churches - Pakistan - DAWN.COM
LAHORE: Twin blasts rocked the Roman Catholic Church and Christ Church in Lahore's Youhanabad area. Both churches have high attendance on Sundays on account of mass.
Initial reports suggest two suicide bombers carried out the attack.
Youhanabad is the country's biggest Christian locality, housing at least one million people. The Christian community in Pakistan has long been the target of attacks and hate crimes carried out by extremist elements.
In 2013, twin suicide attacks were carried out at the All Saint's Church in Peshawar's Kohati Gate area, killing 80 and wounding over 100 others.
Major developments
Suicide bombers blew themselves up at the gate of two churches
At least 10 people have died in the attack
TTP splinter group Jamatul Ahrar claims responsibility for the attack
Two men, suspected of involvement in the attack, lynched by the enraged mob
Protesters take to the streets of Lahore and Karachi
1:45pm - Christian community members stage protests in Karachi
Members of the Christian community took to the streets and staged protests in Karachi's Esa Nagri area against the bomb attacks on churches in Lahore.
1:40pm - Former Punjab law minister confirms death toll
Former Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah confirmed that 10 people have been killed so far in the blasts near two churches in Lahore.
He added that the dead included six members of the Christian community, two policemen and two other men, who were beaten to death by the enraged mob on suspicion of involvement in the blast.
The former law minister said that five policemen were also wounded in the incident.
1:30pm - Christian community leader blames Punjab govt
A local leader of the Christian community told mediapersons that both the blasts took place at the entrance of the churches.
He added, "Had the attackers managed to enter the churches, the casualty figure would have soared as there were thousands of people present at the place of worship at the time of attack."
The community leader also accused the Punjab government of incompetence and blamed it for the attack.
Pastor David, a local cleric at the site, told AFP: "One blast took place at the entrance of one church where a congregation was going on. Another blast took place in the second church," and added that the two buildings were 500 metres (1,600 feet) apart.
1:20pm - Protesters block metro bus route
Several protesters carrying sticks blocked either side of Lahore's Ferozepur Road and blocked the metro bus route disrupting the bus operation.
Television footage showed dozens of stick-wielding men, mostly belonging to the Christian community, ransacking the metro bus terminal.
1:10pm - Four policemen were held hostage
Enraged protesters held four injured policemen captive at a shop after the blast, for allegedly watching a cricket match instead of performing their duties at the time of attack.
The mob apparently held the injured policemen in the shop for nearly two hours before they were shifted to hospital.
One of the policemen succumbed to his injuries.
Meanwhile, protests continue against the government.
1:03pm - Eyewitness account
"I was sitting at a shop near the church when a blast jolted the area. I rushed towards the spot and saw the security guard scuffle with a man who was trying to enter the church, after failing, he blew himself up," said witness Amir Masih.
"I saw his body parts flying through the air...the guard died as well", he said.
It was not clear if the first blast was also a suicide bomber, Masih said.
