Leaders of churches in Pakistan are demanding that the government do more to protect them after a violent attack at a church on Christmas Day left three girls dead.
Some 40 members of a Presbyterian church in the town of Chianwali had gathered in their one-room chapel for Christmas services on Dec. 25.
Witnesses said that shortly after 8:30 p.m. two attackers entered the church and threw explosives into the room, killing the three girls, ages 6, 10 and 15. At least 13 others were injured in the attack, nine of whom were hospitalized.
While the identities of the attackers are unknown, Pakistani police blamed it on militant Islamists who disagreed with Pakistan’s support of the U.S. war on terror.
According to reports, the policeman assigned to stand guard outside the church during the service did not show up. He has been held by police for questioning to determine if he was involved in the attack.
Three officers of the local police department were suspended for negligence.
(EP)
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