AMN
At least eight people were killed and 20 injured in a suicide attack targetting a church in Quetta in Pakistan.
Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said, two suicide bombers struck Bethel Memorial Methodist Church while the church service was ongoing. He said, one of the attackers detonated a suicide vest inside the church premises, while the other was shot dead at the entrance by security forces.
There were 400 worshipers inside the church when the attack took place. Police and rescue teams have cordoned off the area.
The church had organised different programmes all throughout December to mark Christmas, according to its Facebook page and was holding a ‘Sunday School Christmas Programme’ at the time of the attack.
Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain strongly condemned the terrorist attack and expressed grief at the loss of innocent lives. He also directed authorities to ensure best medical treatment possible for the injured.
Terrorists will be taken to their logical conclusion and their cowardly attacks will not weaken the nation’s resolve, he said.
Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal condemned the attack as a sign of “cowardice” and said Pakistan’s enemies want to spread violence in the country.
“We are fighting a war against these terror elements,” he said.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah condemned the attack and expressed his solidarity with the people and government of Balochistan.
“The attack on the church was a cowardly act by terrorists,” he said.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan strongly condemned the terror attack. “The govt must ensure special protection for churches as Christmas approaches. My prayers go to the victims’ families and for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Khan tweeted.