Worst attack on Christians in Pakistan claims 80 lives and has ‘Broken the hearts of God’s people’

The double suicide bombing at a church in Peshawar has claimed at least 80 lives and ‘broken the hearts of God’s people in Pakistan’, say partners of Release International, which serves persecuted Christians around the world.

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As burials continue today in the city, Release partners are offering pastoral and practical support to the bereaved and injured. They say yesterday’s attack was the worst on Christians in Pakistan for many years, while the BBC claims it was the deadliest ever. The scale of the atrocity has appalled Christians and Muslims alike. Many of the dead are children who had been attending Sunday school. Suicide bombers detonated two devices at All Saints’ Church in Peshawar, in north-west Pakistan, as hundreds of worshippers were leaving its morning service at midday. Their explosives were packed with ball bearings to inflict maximum damage. The blasts killed at least 80 and wounded more than 120 people – including many children.

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‘Release is appalled by this latest onslaught against ordinary Christians in Pakistan,’ says Release Chief Executive Paul Robinson. ‘Our hearts and our prayers go out to the victims. ‘Our partners are doing all they can to offer comfort and practical support. They describe this as the worst attack against Pakistan’s Christian minority in years. The dead and injured include many children. Some have had to be buried while their parents are being treated for their own injuries. ‘Our partners say that All Saints’ Church had been under threat for days and although the authorities had posted some police presence it’s now obvious that that was insufficient. ‘Pakistan must take immediate and effective action to protect its Christian minority, and we, as believers in the UK and Ireland, must stand in prayer with our persecuted brothers and sisters in Pakistan and around the world, who are being attacked and killed simply because of their faith.’ Two militant groups with links to the Taliban said they were responsible for the attack, which was ‘in retaliation for US drone strikes’, according to BBC reports. Christians have held demonstrations in several cities calling on the Government to protect its religious minorities. More rallies are expected today. Release partners visiting the injured report that hospitals are struggling to cope. Many of the wounded have severe burns and there are not enough specialist facilities to take care of them. The hot, uncomfortable conditions are adding to their suffering. As well as comforting survivors, Release partners have been offering practical support, such as covering their expenses. Peshawar is the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly known as the North-West Frontier Province). AFP says there are some 200,000 Christians in the province, of whom 70,000 live in Peshawar. Up to 2.5 per cent of Pakistan’s population is Christian. Through its international network of missions Release International serves persecuted Christians in more than 30 countries around the world, by: supporting pastors and Christian prisoners, and their families; supplying Christian literature and Bibles; and working for justice.

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