SINGOWALI, PAKISTAN -- One person was killed and at least 11 injured when Muslim militants opened fire on Christian worshipers during a prayer service of a Presbyterian Church in Pakistan's Punjab province, Christian rights investigators and police confirmed Friday, March 6.
A woman, Shakeela Bibi, died on the spot while several others were injured in the shootings on Monday, March 2, in the remote village of Singowali, outside the industrial city of Gujranwala, said Sohail Johnson of advocacy group Sharing Life Ministries Pakistan (SLMP). Other sources said as many as 28 Christians were injured.
Besides shooting, Muslims, armed with iron rods and clubs, also smashed the windows of the church and desecrated Bibles, witnesses said. They reportedly removed the cross erected at the roof of the church and left the scene shouting at the Christians that they would face worse attacks if they did not leave the town. Several Christian homes were also attacked, Christians said.
The violence was the culmination of several days of tension after a Christian boy registered a criminal case against armed Muslim youths who allegedly robbed him at gunpoint last month.