8 killed in attack on Quetta church
quetta — A suicide bomb attack on a church in the southwestern city of Quetta claimed by the Daesh group killed at least eight people and wounded 30 during a service on Sunday, just over a week before Christmas.
Two women were among the dead at a Methodist church in Quetta, said provincial Home Secretary Akbar Harifal.
Several of the wounded were in serious condition, police added.
Officials said police intercepted and shot dead one attacker outside the church before he could detonate his bomb.
But the second managed to reach the church’s main door, where he blew himself up.
“Police were quick to react and stop the attackers from entering into the main hall,” provincial police chief Moazzam Jah said.
Each attacker was carrying 15 kilograms of explosive plus grenades, said civil defence official Aslam Tareen.
Daesh, in a brief statement on its Amaq news agency, claimed responsibility.
Balochistan provincial home minister Sarfraz Bugti said around 250 people normally attend the church on Sundays, but the congregation had swelled to around 400 because it was close to Christmas.
“God forbid, if the terrorists had succeeded in their plans more than 400 precious lives would have been at stake,” tweeted the home minister.
A reporter at the scene saw shattered pews, shoes and broken musical instruments littered across the blood-smeared floor of the church.
Liaqat Masih, a member of the congregation, said he was heartbroken by the violence and feared for his life as the firefight erupted between one attacker and police, who were later reinforced by paramilitaries and regular troops.
“I am devastated to see many of our dear ones dead and wounded today here in front of me,” said Masih, 35.
Hours after the attack reports surfaced that a total of four attackers had been involved, with two escaping.
Senior police official Abdul Razzaq Cheema said investigators were analysing CCTV footage to check the claim and had launched a search for any further suspects.
A young girl in a white dress sobbed as she recounted the attack to Geo television, saying many people around her were wounded.
Aqil Anjum, who was shot in his right arm, said he heard a blast in the middle of the service, followed by heavy gunfire.
“It was chaos. Bullets were hitting people inside the closed hall.”
Dozens of Christians gathered outside a nearby hospital to protest the lack of security. — AFP, AP, Reuters,
God forbid, if the terrorists had succeeded in their plans more than 400 precious lives would have been at stake Sarfraz Bugti, Balochistan home minister
I am heartbroken and devastated to see many of our dear ones dead and wounded today here in front of me Liaqat Masih, A member of the congregation,
The Quetta church attack is an attempt to cloud christmas celebrations and create religious cleavages General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff
I heard a blast in the middle of the service, followed by gunfire. It was chaos. bullets were hitting people inside the hall Aqil Anjum, An injured