20 churches, 86 houses belonging to Christians burnt down by mob in Pakistan: Police
FirstpostBlasphemy is a sensitive issue in Pakistan, where anyone deemed to have insulted Islam or Islamic figures can face death penalty. Currently, 3,500 cops and 180 Rangers personnel are posted at Christian areas in Jaranwala Over 20 churches and 86 houses belonging to Christians were burnt down by a mob in Pakistan’s Punjab province and a total of 145 suspects have been taken into custody, police said in a preliminary report submitted to the government on Friday on the unprecedented attack on the minority community. Besides, a cleric who made announcements from five mosques inciting people to attack Christian homes and churches is among 145 suspects arrested so far,” says the Punjab Police report submitted to the government. Pakistani police have also arrested two prime suspects involved in the attacks, Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi said. Naqvi said on Friday that the government would restore all churches in Jaranwala by next Tuesday and give compensation money to the Christian families whose homes had been damaged.