Church damaged during explosion in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A bomb exploded inside of a Chris­tian church in Islamabad on Jan. 13, causing the roof to collapse and widespread structural damage.

The church was empty at the time of the explosion. Church leaders believe the attack on the church was an act of retaliation by Islamic extremists angered by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf’s pledge to crack down on militant groups.

The day before the blast, Musharraf announced that Pakistan would not tolerate terrorist groups and that Pakistanis were “fed up with religious extremism.” He vowed to close mosques and Islamic religious schools that teach an extremist version of Islam and instigate violence.

Several mosques and schools were subsequently raided, resulting in the arrest of more than 300 people. Several Islamic extremist groups active in Kashmir have been banned by Pakistan as part of Musharraf’s pledge.