2 Injured as Mob Attacks Christians in Pakistan Over Alleged Desecration

Lahore: A mob led by rical Islamists on Saturday unleashed an attack on Christians in Pakistan Punjab province over allegations of desecration of Quran that left at least two members from minority community injured, one of m seriously, police said. incident took place in Mujahid Colony Sargodha district of Punjab, some 200 km from Lahore in morning.

Police claim to have reached scene on time to control situation.

Several video clips of mob attack on properties of Christian community are doing rounds on social media.

mob led by rical Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) activists attacked Christian community, burning and ransacking ir property.

According to senior Punjab police officer As Ejaz Malhi, a heavy contingent of police has reached Mujahid Colony and dispersed mob which h surrounded some houses (of Christians) over allegations of desecration of Quran.

He said one injured person has been shifted to a hospital and police have been deployed re to maintain law and order.

Anor police officer told PTI that on Saturday morning some youth in Mujahid Colony alleged that one Nazir Gill Masih desecrated Quran.

"Following ir allegations, a mob led by TLP activists marched towards residence and a factory of Nazir. y set ablaze his shoe factory and his house. y also ransacked a few shops owned by Christians. Before police could reach spot, mob lynched and thrashed Nazir," he said.

However, police were able to rescue Nazir and shifted him to hospital where his condition was stated to be critical, officer said. He said anor Christian man also suffered injuries.

Ifran Gill, a relative of Nazir, told PTI that his uncle h returned from Dubai after four years. He said some people in locality accused him falsely of desecration of Quran.

He said Christian families saved ir lives by locking mselves inside ir houses when mob marched towards m. He said environment has been tense in area and Christians are terrified.

"Anor Jaranwala style attack on Christians in Sargodha with mob attacking local community, burning and ransacking property. failure of State to take any serious and sincere action against perpetrators of Jaranwala incident has only emboldened those who exploit religious sentiments for ir criminal acts," Human rights lawyer and politician Jibran Nasir said on X.

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said it was seriously concerned by unfolding situation in Sargodha, where Christian community in Gillwala village is reportedly at grave risk to ir lives at hands of charged mobs.

"re are unconfirmed reports of a man having been allegedly lynched,” HRCP said on X and asked Punjab police to immediately restore calm and bring perpetrators to book, while ensuring that Christian community comes to no furr harm.

Sara Taseer, daughter of slain Punjab governor Salman Taseer, said: " poor Pak Christian community reaches out to me for help when lynchings stir up. Before X was banned, I could alert some groups to help when re was an attack and try to avert worst. But now y are more cornered than ever."

Last year at least 24 churches and over 80 houses belonging to Christians in Jaranwala tehsil of Faisalab district, some 130 km from provincial capital, were burnt down by a mob over reports that two Christians h desecrated Quran.