Christians Under attack in Pakistan: At least 80 deaths!
QuestCinq.com
–It is thought to be the deadliest ever attack on Pakistan’s Christians.
Two Islamist militant groups with Taliban links said they ordered the attack to hit back at US drone strikes.
Political and religious leaders condemned the attack, but angry crowds took to the streets denouncing the state’s failure to protect minorities.
On Sunday, demonstrators blocked roads in Peshawar, Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi and rallies are also expected in major cities on Monday.
The BBC’s Aleem Maqbool in Peshawar reports that as mourners reached the site where the coffins bearing the dead are lined up, some broke down on the spot.
Analysis
Aleem Maqbool BBC News, Peshawar
Many of those coming to pay their respects were simply overwhelmed by the sight that greeted them when they reached the school playing fields besides St John’s Church.
Some broke down on the spot, seeing the long line of coffins, the hundreds of women sitting beside them, clutching them and sobbing, the men hugging and crying, their children looking bewildered.
Of course there is shock – there has never been as devastating an attack as this to target Pakistan’s Christians – but there is certainly anger as well.
The attack happened as Pakistan’s government prepares the ground for talks with the Pakistani Taliban.
Many young Christian mourners made their feelings known on the subject outside Peshawar’s Lady Reading hospital; shouting insults and angry chants against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and against one of the most well known advocates of talks with the militants, opposition politician Imran Khan.
Hundreds of women were sitting beside the coffins, clutching them and sobbing, the men hugging and crying, their children looking bewildered, our correspondent reports.
Condemnation of the attack has been pouring in. The government has announced three days of mourning.
Christian groups have said special prayers will be held for the victims. Pope Francis has condemned the atrocity, saying those who carried out the attack made a wrong choice, of hatred and war.
Sunday Mass attacked
Speaking in London on his way to New York to attend the UN’s General Assembly, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the attack does not bode well for any intended talks with militants.
And the Pakistani politician, Imran Khan, whose party governs the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, of which Peshawar is the capital, called it an attack on humanity.
He has been criticised for being soft on Taliban militants and favouring talks instead of military action.
Source:BBC
