Pakistan (MNN) — The sound of a parcel bomb exploding rang out in the streets of Hasilpur, Pakistan, in the Bahawalpur district last Saturday, June 13.
According to International Christian Concern, at least ten Christians were injured in the attack. Among the injured were four women and two children listed in very critical condition.
The incident was only one in a recent number of attacks against Christians and other minorities in Pakistan. Another incident occurred on May 9, when a Christian was beaten and stabbed to death for drinking tea in a Muslim-only tea stall.
Since the military campaign against the Taliban began, “the country has … witnessed spiraling violence targeting minorities,” according to ICC.
However, the explosion was not reported in the news, and Nazir S. Bhatti, chief of Pakistan Christian Congress, believed "the news was not highlighted in media due to Christians being targeted," ICC reports. He also said the Pakistani government censored the incident "to avoid international pressure and mounting human rights violations."
According to other sources, Pastor Salim Sadiq of Holy Spirit Church in Karachi said the community has been attacked because Islamic extremists have sworn to avenge "the suffering of their brotherhood."
Please pray for the Christian minority in Pakistan as they face increased persecution. Pray that they will remain strong, even in the face of death.
For updates on this and other stories, go to persecution.org.
