Pakistan arrests five suspects in bombing of two Christian churches
Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
Publication Date | 4 August 2015 |
Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Pakistan arrests five suspects in bombing of two Christian churches, 4 August 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/55ee966015.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
August 04, 2015
Pakistan said on August 4 that it has arrested five men suspected of involvement in a double suicide attack by Taliban militants that targeted two Christian churches in the eastern city of Lahore.
Shuja Khanzada, home minister of Punjab Province, said the five suspects all belong to a splinter group of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan known as Shehryar Mehsud.
Seventeen people were killed and more than 70 were injured by the double bombing in March in Lahore's Youhanabad district.
Both of the bombings occurred during worship services at the churches, which are located about one kilometer apart in a neighborhood that is home to more than 100,000 Pakistani Christians.
Two men were later lynched by an angry mob who suspected they were militants.
The attacks also sparked two days of rioting by thousands of Christians who clashed with police, blocked roads, and forced a partial shutdown of Lahore's public bus system.
Based on reporting by AFP and AP
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