suicide attack on church leaves dozens dead.
while the worlds eyes are on the siege in Kenya spare a thought for the 81 dead and 140 injured in a taliban suicide bombing in pakistan. The attack happened as the congregation were leaving church at Peshawar at midday. Two Taliban suicide bombers blew themselves up amid the 500 strong congregation. Witnesses said the interior of the 130-year-old building was turned into
a bloodbath, with severed limbs scattered around and the walls
pockmarked with ball bearings used as shrapnel by the bombers.
"There were blasts and there was hell for all of us," said Nazir John,
who was at the church in the city's Kohati Gate district. "When I got my senses back, I found nothing
but smoke, dust, blood and screaming people. I saw severed body parts
and blood all around." The number of casualties from the blasts was so high that the hospital
ran short of caskets for the dead and beds for the wounded, said Mian
Iftikhar Hussain, a former information minister of surrounding Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa province who was on the scene. Christians in Peshawar reacted with fury at the lack of security. Protesters outside the church chanted slogans attacking the provincial
government for not providing security to worshippers. Some clashed with
police, ripping off their uniforms and burning them in front of
television cameras. Christians also came out to protest in cities around
the country. Christians, who tend to be among the poorest sections of society, have
suffered prejudice and sporadic bouts of mob violence and church
burnings, usually triggered by accusations of anti-Islam blasphemy. Ahmad Marwat, who identified himself as the spokesman for the Jundullah
wing of the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack. saying " all non-muslims are targets and will remain so as long as america continues with drone attacks in our country"
On Sunday three days of mourning were announced as politicians and religious leaders condemned the attack.
"Terrorists
have no religion and targeting innocent people is against the teachings
of Islam and all religions," said the prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, in a
statement. "Cruel acts of terrorism reflect the brutality and inhumane
mindset of the terrorists." Lets hope and pray that christians every where remain safe where ever they may live. Amen. Regards A+A
