Punjab, June 15, 2020:Christians in a small town in eastern Pakistan have been left “terrified” after an armed gang attacked their church, tearing down a cross and knocking over a wall.

Neighbors of Trinity Pentecostal Church in Kala Shah Kaku in Punjab province were alerted by the sound of commotion at around midnight and quickly rushed to the scene.

They found a group of radical Muslim men, some of whom were locally-known gang members, armed with guns, according to reports. It is believed the mob shouted hate speech at the Christians and threatened to shoot them and set the church on fire.

By the time police arrived on the scene the culprits had fled.

Witnesses, none of whom were injured, believe the incident was an attempted land-grab.

The British Pakistani Christian Association (BPCA) has donated cash for repairs and said the church resumed services shortly after the May 9 attack.

Volunteer Hannah Chowdhry told Express.co.uk: “There were two mafia gang members who brought five or six other men with them with guns and pistols.

“They broke down the outer wall of the church. There was a cemented cross as well that they broke down and threw on the floor and they tried to break into the church.

“This happens on a regular basis and we just have to make people aware of what is happening around the world.

“It’s devastating that this is still happening even during the pandemic.

“Although the people are terrified about what has happened, they have started up services in the church again.”

Pastor Samuel Hidayat recalled the phone call he received from witnesses.

He said: “From the descriptions provided to me by local people the situation was very dangerous and I feared there would be bloodshed so I called the police immediately.

“It was clear these would-be property usurpers were not willing to negotiate or leave our church any other way.”

The community suspect the gang took advantage of the coronavirus lockdown to attempt to break into the church in a bid to illegally wrestle the property from its rightful owners.

Provincial Minister for Human Rights and Minorities Affairs, Ijaz Alam Augustine, and former member of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab, Tariq Masih Gill, visited the church in the wake of the attack, bringing with them a donated cross.

He assured congregants that the police would hunt down the culprits and justice would be served.

Mehwish Bhatti, the BPCA’s national executive for Pakistan, called on the Pakistani Government to do more to protect the rights of minorities.

She said: “The Government should take strict action against the perpetrators of this attempted land-grab.

“Failure to do so, creates fear in local congregations and takes away their freedom to practice their faith.

“Such freedoms are enshrined within the UN Human Rights Convention which Pakistan has subscribed to and must adhere to.

“We pray for a quick resolution.”

Christians are estimated to make up about two percent (four million) of Pakistan’s population.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1295227/Christian-news-pakistan-church-attacked-radical-muslims-cross-asia-news