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Lahore church bombings

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Lahore church bombings
لاہور گرجہ گھر دھماکے
Location of Lahore in Punjab
LocationLahore, Pakistan
Coordinates31°24′41″N 74°21′58″E / 31.411291°N 74.366078°E / 31.411291; 74.366078
Date15 March 2015
TargetRoman Catholic Church, Christ Church
Attack type
Suicide bombings
Deaths19
15[1]
2 policemen and 2 passers-by
Injured70[2][3]
PerpetratorsJamaat-ul-Ahrar[1]
MotiveRetaliation against Operation Zarb-e-Azb

On 15 March 2015, two explosions took place at Roman Catholic Church and Christ Church during Sunday service in Youhanabad, Lahore, Pakistan.[4] At least 15 people were killed and seventy were wounded in the attacks.[2][3]

The attack was followed by mob violence killing two men mistaken as militants.[4] It was the second attack on Christians minority after the deadliest attack in 2013 on All Saints church in Peshawar. In August 2015, Punjab home minister Shuja Khanzada announced that five members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban were arrested in connection to the attack. According to the statement, the men received monetary and material support from India and planned the attack in Afghanistan, from where they came to Lahore. The arrested men also confessed to planning further attacks in Karachi and Lahore.[5]

Background

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The Pakistani Taliban operates as an umbrella organization for various Islamist militant groups in Pakistan. They actively target religious minorities for attacks,[6][7][8] including a series of attacks in 2002. In August 2002, three nurses died in a grenade attack on a chapel located on the grounds of the Taxila Christian Hospital,[9] in September 2002 seven charity workers were killed in Karachi[10] and on 25 December 2002 a grenade attack on a Presbyterian church killed three girls.[11][12] The September 2013 suicide attack on the historic All Saints Church in Peshawar killed 75 people.[13][14]

One of the Islamist militant groups allied to the Pakistani Taliban is Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a breakaway organisation that reunited in March 2015.[15][16] Jamaat-ul-Ahrar carried out the November 2014 Wagah border attack where over 60 people died and over 100 were injured,[17] and the same month killed at least six people in Mohmand Agency[18] and attacked the membership camp of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement party in Karachi.[19]

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar operate the Afia Siddiqui Brigade, named after Aafia Siddiqui,[20] which previously carried out 2012 attacks on a police van on the Peshawar Ring Road and on the Judicial Complex in Peshawar.[21]

Attack

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According to reports, two suicide bombers attacked the churches located in a Christian locality. The bombings took place during weekly Christian service at the two churches of Yuhanabad neighbourhood located at a distance of half a kilometre apart.

The bombers targeted two churches, Saint John Catholic Church and Christ Church at around 11:00 am local time. Both churches are located in the Youhanabad area, which is one of the country's biggest Christian localities and is home to at least one million people.[22]

The bombers tried to enter the churches but were stopped at the gate by the guards, where they blew themselves up. The high number of casualties was due to the fact that weekly service was underway when the attacks occurred.[3] The wounded were rushed to the General Hospital, where a state of emergency was declared at 12:21 pm.[23] The explosions caused a stampede at the Church as worshipers ran to save their lives. Windowpanes were broken due to the explosions.

Responsibility

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Jamaat-ul-Ahrar – a splinter group of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, which had reconciled with and rejoined the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan earlier the same month[24] – claimed responsibility for the attacks.[1]

Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan used his Afghan mobile number to contact the media in Pakistan. He said, "We have carried out the attack. We have reached Lahore, the center of Punjab province, which is a challenge and a warning to the rulers."[25] He said that the group of suicide bombers who carried out the attack belonged to the Aafia Siddiqui Brigade.[23] In August 2015, Punjab home minister Shuja Khanzada announced that five people were arrested in connection with the attack. According to Khanzada, they belonged to the TTP's Shehryar Mehsud group and planned the attacks inside Afghanistan, from where they came to Lahore. According to the statement, the arrested suspects received monetary and material support from India. They also confessed to planning more attacks in Karachi and Lahore.[5]

Aftermath

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The attacks ignited protests which continued for the next three days. The same day as the bombing, two men were lynched as a result of these protests. The next day paramilitary personnel had to be deployed in order to maintain law and order. The victims were laid to rest on March 17 amid tight security. Several thousand police and ranger personnel were deployed in Lahore during the last rites.[26]

Politicians, religious leaders and members of the civil society condemned the attacks, while calling for stricter security measures. However, the lynching by the mob was also condemned and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan termed it as "the worst kind of terrorism".[27][28]

The second leg of the FIFA World Cup qualifier match between Pakistan and Yemen was to be played in Lahore. FIFA first gave the go-ahead for the match saying that it could be played behind closed doors but later a statement issued by the governing body cited "safety and security reasons" for the postponement of the match and said that the Asian Zone first round second leg tie will be played in a neutral venue.[29][30] A subsequent statement by FIFA said that the match would be played in Manama, Bahrain.[31]

Protests

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After the attack up to 4,000 Christians gathered at the attack site, formed a mob and blocked Ferozepur road. The angry mob attacked a nearby Metro bus station.[3] Water cannons were dispatched to help police clear the area. However, the mob took three policemen hostage and refused to talk with Ports and Shipping Minister Kamran Michael, who had arrived to console them. The mob captured and lynched two men suspected of being involved in the attacks.[23] The Christian community in Faisalabad city also protested against the attacks.[32] Members of the Christian community in Karachi took to the streets and protested at Esa Nagri area. They blocked the route from Hassan Square to Liaquatabad area of the city. Similar protests were staged in Multan, Gujranwala, Sialkot and other cities of Pakistan.[3][33]

The next day up to 5,000 Christians gathered to protest but protests again turned violent as two people were killed and at least six were injured when a van ran over the protesters.[34][35]

Lynching

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The angry mob lynched two persons. One of the lynched men was identified as Muhammad Naeem by his brother Muhammad Saleem who filed an FIR of a murder case against the protesters. He claimed that his brother was innocent and further stated that his brother was not a militant.[36] He was missing and when they went to hospital they learned that he was one of those lynched. He said his brother was a glasscutter and they owned a glass shop and his brother had gone there for their work.[37]

The second victim was identified as Babar Noman, a garment worker who had come from Sargodha in search of employment at a factory. The police buried the victim's body on 17 March but a court ordered the exhumation of the body once the victim's family lodged a complaint. However, the authorities stated that the body would not be handed over before a DNA test is used to prove his identity.[38]

Reaction

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Domestic reaction

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Government

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A spokesman for the Punjab province government condemned the attacks and said authorities are reinforcing security at the 481 remaining churches across the city. The Chief Minister of Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif condemned the attacks and commented that killing someone on the basis of suspicion is inhumane. No one has the right to take the law into their hands.[37]

The Balochistan Provincial assembly condemned the suicide attacks and lynching of two men by an angry Christian mob.[39]

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also condemned the attack.[23] Interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan condemned terrorist attacks on churches and said those who had done this did not belong to any religion because no religion tolerates such odious crimes. He also said that action would be taken against those who burnt two people alive and damaged public and private properties.[40][41]

Religious groups

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The Catholic Church of Pakistan strongly condemned the suicide bombings and urged all Pakistanis to stand with their fellow Christians against extremists. Pakistan Catholic Bishops' Conference urged the nation's provincial and federal governments to take effective measures to provide security for the churches of Pakistan, so as to guarantee freedom of religion and worship. The church also appealed to the Christian community to avoid violence and co-operate with the police in their investigations. The Catholic bishops said that they prayed to their Lord for the health of the injured and to grant grace to the families who lost their loved ones.[42]

Muslim scholars hailing from different schools of thought condemned the attack and termed it un-Islamic. Muftis of Sunni Ittehad Council said that Islam did not permit attacks on the worship places of religious minorities. A Muslim state was responsible for the protection of minorities. They also urged Islamic scholars to define the rights of minorities in Islam.[43] Pakistan Ulema Council leader Tahir Ashrafi said, "It seems like a conspiracy to ignite communal violence in the country. I appeal to all Pakistanis to stand united against this act of terrorism."[44] Jamaat Ahle Hadith Pakistan and Milli Majlis Shari also condemned the attack and urged the religious scholars to play their role against terrorism.[45]

International reaction

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  • Vatican City Vatican – Pope Francis said, "It's with pain, much pain that I was told of the terrorist attacks against two Christian churches in Lahore in Pakistan, which have caused numerous deaths and injuries. These are Christian churches and Christians are persecuted, our Christian brothers are spilling their blood simply because they are Christians. I implore God ... that this persecution against Christians – that the world seeks to hide – comes to an end and that there is peace."[46][47]
  •  United States – Jen Psaki said, "We strongly condemn Sunday's attack on innocent people at two churches in Lahore, and we extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims. The United States stands in solidarity with the people and government of Pakistan. We support the right of every person to practise religion without fear of intimidation, death, coercion or any form of reprisal. This is a basic human right both in Pakistan and throughout the world."[48][49]
  •  United Nations – UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq read out a statement of the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon wherein he said "The secretary general notes with grave concern that the Pakistani Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attacks while threatening to carry out more such acts in the future. He (the UN chief) calls on the Government of Pakistan to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice and to do its utmost to prevent attacks against places of worship and protect religious minorities. The secretary-general extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Pakistan."[50]
  •  Turkey – The Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement: "We strongly condemn this atrocious attack that targets the stability and peace of Pakistan, and we wish God's mercy on those who lost their lives, convey our sympathies to their families and wish for speedy recovery of the wounded."[51]
  •  Sri Lanka – The Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the attacks and said: "The dastardly act against a religious congregation engaged in the practice and sustenance of their faith and spiritual upliftment is not only an attack against a group and places of worship but against humanity and the civilized world. Sri Lanka as a country which has suffered from the scourge of terrorism for more than 30 years shares the grief and pain of the people of Pakistan at this moment of distress."[52]
  •  China – The Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks and their spokesman Hong Lei said: "We are deeply shocked and in a state of grief over the attack and condemn the terrorists in the strongest terms. China extends heartfelt condolences to the victims and expresses deep sympathy to the wounded and the families of the victims."[53]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Deadly blasts hit Pakistan churches in Lahore". BBC News. 15 March 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Worshippers killed in Pakistan church bombings". Al Jazeera. 15 March 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e Imran Gabol; Nadeem Haider; Waseem Riaz, Abbas Haider, Akbar Ali (15 March 2015). "15 killed in Taliban attack on Lahore churches". Dawn. Retrieved 15 March 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ a b "Two blasts at Lahore churches claim 15 lives - PAKISTAN - geo.tv". geo.tv. 15 March 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  5. ^ a b "Two Youhanabad Church attack suspects arrested, claims Punjab home minister". Express Tribune. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  6. ^ "After the Malala Yousafzai shooting, can shock therapy free Pakistan?". Ibnlive.in.com. Archived from the original on 15 October 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  7. ^ "The Problem Of Pakistan". Ibtimes.com. 4 October 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  8. ^ "Pakistan should be on the genocide watch list: US think tank". Indiatoday.intoday.in. 26 September 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  9. ^ "Nurses killed in attack on Christian hospital". The Telegraph. 9 August 2002.
  10. ^ "Gunmen kill seven christian charity workers" The Independent, 25 September 2002
  11. ^ "# girls died in attack on Christian church in Pakistan". Earlychurchofjesus.org. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  12. ^ New York Times: "Suicide Attack at Christian Church in Pakistan Kills Dozens" by ISMAIL KHAN and SALMAN MASOOD 22 September 2013
  13. ^ "Orders fresh probe into church attack SC rues poor investigation in sensitive cases | Newspaper". Dawn.Com. 24 December 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  14. ^ "Six Killed in Anti-Christian Attack in Karachi". English.peopledaily.com.cn. 25 September 2002. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  15. ^ "Pakistan Taliban faction announce split, new leader". Agence France-Presse. 4 September 2014. Archived from the original on 11 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  16. ^ "Pakistani splinter group rejoins Taliban amid fears of isolation". Reuters. 12 March 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  17. ^ Farooq, Umar; Shah, Zahir; Riaz, Wasim. "TTP splinter groups claim Wagah attack; 60 dead". Retrieved 19 March 2015. At least 60 people were killed on Sunday in a blast near the Wagah border, the responsibility of which was claimed separately by the outlawed Jundullah and TTP-affiliated Jamaat-ul-Ahrar outfits.
  18. ^ Sherazi, Zahir (7 November 2014). "Twin blasts kill at least six people in Mohmand".
  19. ^ "Jamaatul Ahrar claims responsibility for attack on MQM camp". geo.tv/. Retrieved 19 March 2015. Splinter group of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Jamaatul Ahrar, has claimed responsibility for the attack on the membership camp of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in Orangi Town area of Karachi.
  20. ^ "Why is Aafia Siddiqui 'Lady Al Qaeda' the world's most wanted woman?". MetroNews. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2015. In Pakistan, a group of militants calling itself the Aafia Siddiqui Brigade has attacked government facilities in order to avenge what they see as her wrongful incarceration.
  21. ^ Mir, Amir. "The rise of TTP's Aafia Siddiqui Brigade". thenews.com.pk/. The Pakistani authorities investigating the March 18 fidayeen attack on the Judicial Complex in Peshawar which killed four people and injured 50-plus others have reported to the Ministry of Interior that it was the second act of terrorism which has been attributed to the Aafia Siddiqui Brigade. The first act was the March 20, 2012 bombing of a police van on the Peshawar Ring Road which had killed two policemen.
  22. ^ "Lahore church blasts: Taliban attacks kill 15, enraged residents lynch two suspects". Zee News. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  23. ^ a b c d Rana Tanveer; Tahir Khan (15 March 2015). "14 dead, 75 injured in attack on Lahore's Christian community". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  24. ^ Katharine Houreld; Saud Mehsud (12 March 2015). "Pakistani splinter group rejoins Taliban amid fears of isolation". Reuters. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  25. ^ "15 killed, 80 injured in twin blasts in Lahore's Christian locality; two suspects lynched". Hindustan Times. 15 March 2015. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  26. ^ "Pakistan Christians hold funerals for church blast victims". BBC. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  27. ^ "Rizvi condemns attack on Lahore Churches, slams Taliban". Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  28. ^ Khan, Azam (18 March 2015). "Church attacks: Nisar calls Lahore lynching 'worst kind of terrorism'". Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  29. ^ "FIFA postpones Pakistan World Cup qualifier match after Lahore bombings". NewsOne TV. Archived from the original on 21 November 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  30. ^ "Pakistan-Yemen tie switched from Lahore to Bahrain". dailytimes.com.pk/. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  31. ^ "Pakistan 2018 FIFA World Cup tie switched from Lahore to Bahrain". IBN Live. Archived from the original on 21 March 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  32. ^ "لاہور: چرچ کے گیٹ پر دو خودکش دھماکے، کم از کم 15 ہلاک". BBC Urdu. 15 March 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  33. ^ Agencies (16 March 2015). "Stop killing our Christian brothers". Dawn. Pakistan.
  34. ^ "Two killed as car runs over Church attack protesters". The Nation. 16 March 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  35. ^ Okonkwo, Oge (16 March 2015). "Protest over church bombings turns violent, 10 more Christians killed". Pulse.ng. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  36. ^ Yasif, Rana (16 March 2015). "Lahore church attacks: My brother was not a militant, says brother of lynched victim". tribune. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  37. ^ a b "Lahore lynching victim identified as local glass cutter". Dawn. Pakistan. 16 March 2015.
  38. ^ Riaz, Waseem (18 March 2015). "Second Lahore lynching victim identified as garment worker". Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  39. ^ Amanullah Kasi (17 March 2015). "PA condemns church attacks, lynching of two men". Dawn. Pakistan.
  40. ^ Iftikhar A. Khan (17 March 2015). "Action to be taken over lynching: Nisar". Dawn. Pakistan.
  41. ^ "Terrorists now trying to persecute easy targets, says Chaudhry Nisar". The News International, Pakistan. 16 March 2015.
  42. ^ "Pakistan Church condemns Lahore church bombings". radiovaticana.va.
  43. ^ "Un-Islamic act: Ulema condemn attack on Lahore churches". The Express Tribune. 15 March 2015.
  44. ^ "Ulema Council curses attack on Christians". The Nation. 17 March 2015.
  45. ^ "PAKISTAN Muslim leaders condemn Lahore church attacks". Asia News.
  46. ^ AP – Reuters (15 March 2015). "Pope calls for an end to persecution of Pakistani Christians". DAWN. Retrieved 15 March 2015. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  47. ^ "Pope calls for end to persecution of Christians in Pakistan". The Express Tribune. 15 March 2015.
  48. ^ The Newspaper's Correspondent (17 March 2015). "US reiterates offer to help Pakistan fight extremists". Dawn. Pakistan. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  49. ^ "US Condemns Church Attacks in Lahore". NDTV.com.
  50. ^ "Urgent: UN chief slams terrorist attacks on churches in Pakistan". globalpost. Xinhua News Agency. 16 March 2015.
  51. ^ "World condemns attacks on Lahore churches". Retrieved 19 March 2015. Turkey has also strongly condemned a recent deadly attack on two churches in Pakistan's northeastern city of Lahore. "We strongly condemn this atrocious attack that targets the stability and peace of Pakistan, and we wish God's mercy on those who lost their lives, convey our sympathies to their families and wish for speedy recovery of the wounded," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement Monday.
  52. ^ "Sri Lanka condemns Pak church attacks". 17 March 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  53. ^ "China condemns Pakistan church attacks". business standard. IANS. 16 March 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
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