Innocent Christians massacred by Islamists during Nativity service in Quetta
8 Christians have been killed and at least a further 33 injured during an Islamist attack at a church in Quetta, West
Pakistan, were innocent Christian parishioners were celebrating the birth of Christ during a Nativity service.
Extremist are said to have targeted women and children in the brutal attack who make up the majority of victims, in an
attack that was designed to create fear, panic and anxiety amongst the Christian community during one of their most
important dates in their calendar.
The attack occured at 'Bethel Memorial Methodist Church' Zarghoon Road, Balochistan where 400 Christians were
celebrating the birth of Jesus watching a nativity play. The attack was undertaken by two Islamists between the ages of
15 and 20 years, armed with guns and suicide vests. Security forces managed to shoot dead one of the Islamists at the
gate of the church, however, the other Islamist managed to detonate his explosive device inside the church courtyard but
outside the building, chanting the customary praise to Allah as he decimated screaming victims, mainly women and
children.
A victim spoke to our local officer Pastor, she said:
"I heard loud gunfire and people screaming, some of them fell dead after being shot through the walls others were riven
in blood, then a loud explosion occured, there was dust everywhere people were rushing ton help those injured. It was
terrifying.
"It was so surreal we could not see who was shooting at us we could only hear it and see the pain on peoples faces and
blood everywhere. I simply froze and prayed that I would get out alive and God chose to protect me."
A security forces operation is underway to track down those linked to this terrorist attack.
A large contingent of police and Frontier Corps (FC) personnel have surrounded the attack site and are conducting a
search operation. A bomb disposal team is on standby as it is believed that others were involved in this Islamist
activity.
An emergency has been declared in the city’s hospitals and thus far all the victims have been sent to Civil Lines
Hospital and Combined Military Hospital both in Quetta. Both hospitals are seeking emergency blood donors.
Only a few weeks ago a seven year old child was killed when a bomb was detonated at a Christian community in Quetta (click here)
Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association, said:
"We have written several requests to the UK Pakistan High Commission calling for better protection for Christians at
Christmas time, moreover we even went as far as suggesting Quetta would be the primary target zone due to recent
terrorist patterns.
"Thus far our requests have been ignored. Several churches have complained that no additional security measure have been
put in place to protect them and the High Commission has failed to even acknowledge our communication by email or a
written response.
"Arguably, the quick response of the security forces at the church reduced the impact of this attack, but that has done
nothing to ease the anxiety that Christians are feeling. Christians clearly need more protection as two attacks on
churches in two months is becoming too common an incident.
"Christians in Pakistan are buoyed by the condemnation of the Islamists by senior figures in the Government of Pakistan,
but say it does little good. They desire a more robust investigative process to stop the terrorist before the attack or
stronger security presence around churches especially around celebrations like Christmas, were radicalized Muslims are
frenzied by the more overt Christian display of their faith.
"Christians across Pakistan are in sheer terror, but still they will pack their churches over Christmas. Martyrdom and
Christianity on Pakistan go hand in hand, but never has nation been more intolerant till now despite the millions
invested into Pakistan by the UK and reciprocal billions from America."
"While people in the west eat mince pies and turkey, Christians in Pakistan will be praying for an extra day of their
earthly lives and for the protection of their children."
We have set up an emergency appeal to help families affected by the latest attack. If you would like to donate please (click here). Our officer visited the local hospital to visit survivors here are some images a full report will be available shortly
.This story will be updated throughout the day.
Below we have a list of those killed and injured with some images of the survivors you may find these upsetting and
should stop reading from here is so:
List of People who lost their lives during the blast in Church in Quetta:
1. Mehak D/O of Sohail Yousaf
2. Akash S/O Naseem
3. Fazal Masih S/o Malik Masih
4. George Masih
5. Gulzar Masih
6. Sultan Masih S/O Siraj Masih
7. Sona Nazaf D/O Noaf Hameed
8. Madeeha Barkat D/O Barkat Ali
List of people who were injured:
1. Ashraf S/O Manzoor
2. Sultan S/O Mizaj
3. Saiqa wife of Sohail
4. Aaliya Naeem
5. Nadia
6. Mekal
7. Saima
8. Sunil
9. Shamim
20. Yasir Naveed
21. Shezadi Shamshad
22. Adil
23. Khushi
24. Salma
25. Hanan
26. Sadaf
27. Jospheen
28. Ayeasha
29. Tina Qaisor
30. Ramish
31. Eman Wali
32. Zeeshan
33. Aksa
ENDS