Traumatized by bombings (AP)
Christians gathering to worship in Lahore at the Roman Catholic Church and Christ Church in Youhanabad were caught up in 2 bomb blasts which claimed the lives of 15 people with 78 injured. Bombers attempted to gain entry to the buildings and ended up detonating their explosives at the gates to the churches killing 2 security guards. DAWN media reported,
“The bombings occurred during prayers at two churches located around half a kilometre apart in the city’s Youhanabad neighbourhood that is home to more than 100,000 Christians, officials said.
Broken window panes, blood and shoes were scattered across the blast sites.”
This is not the first time the Christian community has been subjected to attacks. Back in 2013, All Saint’s Church in Peshawar was hit by a double suicide bombing killing 80 and wounding over 100 others. At that time the Guardian reported Mano Rumalshah, the bishop emeritus of Peshawar stating, “it’s not safe for Christians in this county. Everyone is ignoring the growing danger to Christians in Muslim-majority countries. The European countries don’t give a damn about us.”
Photo of Omar Khalid Khorasani appeared on the official media page of TTP JA with the words, “Blasts in Lahore Pakistan’s Jamaat-e-Ahrar movement accepts responsibility”
Ehsanullah Ehsan, spokesperson for Tehreek-e-Taliban Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (TTP JA) released a statement to media claiming responsibility for the bombings, he said,
“TTP JA claims the responsibility of Martyrdom attacks on the Churches. This attack was carried out by the Aafia Siddiqui Brigade of TTP JA. We will continue such attacks until the implementation of Shariah if Apostate Rulers can stop us, then let them try.”
TTP JA has recently announced joining forces again with Tehreek -e-Taliban (TTP) after a split last year and they are also joined by Tehreek-e-Lashkar-e-Islam see link for recent press statement,
Crowd turns into a lynch mob setting fire to bodies
Anger on the streets
An angry crowd protesting at security failures turned on two men thought to be connected to the bombings beating and killing them and then setting the bodies alight. One man Abdullah, tweeted, “5th column in Pakistan has burned two innocent civilians alive merely on suspicion.” Lawyer and rights activist Jibran Nasir tweeted, “the mob in Lahore burnt alive two suspects. And the crowd stood and filmed it on their phones. Signs of an angry and traumatized nation.” It is also a sign that “anything goes” in lawless Pakistan where torture and extra-judicial killing in custody as practised by state agencies is a regular occurence.
The Bishop of Lahore appealed to protesters to stay peaceful as the crowd reacted violently on Ferozpur road. Demonstrators wielding sticks blocked this area of Lahore and turned their fury to smashing up a Metro bus station which was captured on camera.
The Pope was quick to condemn the killings,
President Mamnoon Hussain said in DAWN that “the government has committed itself to eradicate terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations and such coward attacks could not deter the resolve of our nation. The president stated that government and nation were determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism.”
Many took to social media to condemn the attacks and demonstrate their support for Pakistan’s minority groups.
Angel Zydon tweeted,
“Strongly condemn twin blasts on 2 churches in Lahore. Our love & support with the Christian brethren.”
Omar r Qurashi…
“Salute to guards Qaiser and Yousuf posted at the two churches in Lahore – both stopped the suicide bombers at the entrances – both died”
Babar Arwan…
“8 big houses at Lahore are protected by over 70% of total police. Even Mughals wouldn’t do this. Salary by people, security for rulers!”
Dewan Sachal…
“PTI strongly condemns the Church bomb blast in Lahore today. Govt should follow the SC order of providing Security to places of Worship.”
Abdullah Faizee posted an drawing of a church and a mosque weeping side by side.
Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad . She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.
Carol Anne Grayson (Radical Sister) blog 