Islamic extremists set ablaze more than 50 houses and a church Aug. 1 in northeastern Pakistan’s Gojra following an accusation of “blasphemy” of the Quran, leaving at least 14 Christians dead.
The dead include women and children with several other burn victims unable to reach hospitals. The attack came during a protest by thousands of Islamists — including members of banned militant groups — that resulted in another six people dying when participants shot at police and officers responded with tear gas and gunfire.
The same rumor of desecration of the Quran that led to the Aug. 1 massive protest and attack in Gojra also prompted an arson assault July 30 by Islamic extremists on the village of Korian, seven miles from Gojra, that gutted 60 houses.
Punjab minister for law Rana Sanaullah Khan reportedly said an initial investigation of allegations of the Quran being blasphemed indicated no incident of desecration. (CD)
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