Armed police guarded churches in Pakistani cities on Monday after the massacre of 18 Christian worshippers as the government made a new vow to counter terrorism.
The attack by gunmen in the Punjab city of Bahawalpur was the worst against Christians in the history of the Muslim nation. No group has claimed responsibility for the massacre, but along with a bus bomb in Quetta that killed three people, it has increased fears of a backlash against the US war on neighbouring Afghanistan.
Christian groups have demanded extra protection and armed police were put on duty at the gates to churches following the killings, which President Pervez Musharraf called an act of terrorism. He said, “My government and the law enforcement agencies will do everything possible so that whoever committed this gruesome act, is caught and given exemplary punishment. The government was preparing a long-term strategy to counter terrorism and sectarian extremism.”
Gunmen entered the church in Bahawalpur and opened fire with Kalashnikov assault rifles on protestant worshippers. Among the 18 dead was the reverend Emmanuel Mamih. Five people were critically injured. Police have warned that the toll from the bus bomb in the southwestern city of Quetta could also rise from three dead as nine of the 25 injured people were in critical condition.
Quetta is close to the border with Afghanistan and has seen several riots and protests since us attacks on Taliban targets in Afghanistan began on October 7.
Bureau Report