Taliban group attacks Christian settlement in Karachi

ravage · April 23, 2009, 9:50am

Re: Taliban group attacks Christian settlement in Karachi

KARACHI: Law enforcement agencies have imposed a virtual curfew in Sarjani Town after four persons were wounded in a crossfire between two groups after pro-Taliban slogans were found painted on the walls of a church on Wednesday.

At least two houses, over half a dozen shops, pushcarts and roadside stalls were set ablaze by unidentified men. Heavy contingents of police and Rangers were called to the scene, however, it took them several hours to ease the tense situation, while routine and commercial life in the area was suspended. Law enforcers carried out a door-to-door search operation to arrest the culprits, detaining at least seven persons from the area and seizing weapons.

However, police officials declined the presence of Taliban in the area and believed it to be a conspiracy by elements that wanted to disturb the peace of the city. The church, where slogans such as ‘Taliban zindabad’, ‘Islam zindabad’, ‘Christians Islam qabol karo’ were found painted on the walls, is located near Khuda Ki Basti, Taiser Town, within the jurisdiction of the Sarjani police station.

When the slogans were discovered, scores of Christians gathered on the road and staged a protest. Witnesses said while strongly criticising the Awami National Party (ANP), Pashtuns and the Taliban, the protesters chanted slogans such as ‘Taliban murdabad’, ‘ANP murdabad’ and ‘Pashtuns murdabad’. They burnt tyres and pelted stones at passing vehicles. During the riots, they also set ablaze over half a dozen shops, including pushcarts and roadside stalls owned by Pashtuns.

In retaliation, hundreds of Pashtuns also gathered at the scene and after exchanging hot words, the two groups resorted to firing. Consequently, three Christians and one person from the Pashtun group, sustained injuries and were shifted to a hospital.

The injured included Emran Masih, Qudoos Masih, Irfan Masih, and Rozi Khan.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

The Pakistani-Christian view here:

Karachi: April 22, 2009. (PCP) The Talibanization of Karachi city begins with attack of armed Taliban on a Christian colony. The attack was well organized and heavy firearms were used by hundreds of Taliban to threaten unarmed Christian elders, women and children. The Taliban chalked slogans against Christianity and to accept Islam on Church walls in Taseer Town in night of April 19, 2009 which horrified Christian residents.

On April 21, 2009, the local Christians took out a peaceful procession in vicinity of Taseer Town to attract attention of local administration for protection of residents but no action was taken nor police guard were provided for protection of Church.

On night of April21, 2009, more than one hundred masked Taliban intruded in Taseer Colony and attacked Christians with heavy machine guns. The feared Christian locked them in their homes but they pulled elders out on gunpoint’s and dragged women from hairs in streets. They loudly said “ You infidels have to convert to Islam or die. Why you cleaned our warnings chalked on walls of Church and home doors? How you dare to take out procession against Taliban?

The two Christians who resisted to Taliban, they killed them in execution style before their families. In a two hour long attack on Taseer Town Taliban killed two Christians and beaten dozens.

Nazir S Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC condemned attack and killing of Christians in Taseer Town and urged government to provide protection to Christians in Pakistan who are unarmed and peaceful citizen.

Nazir Bhatti said “ The presence of Taliban was feared by MQM from months but no action was taken to stop Talibanization of Karachi which is being started by attack on Christians which is warning bell for Sindh government”

“Taliban are planning to expand Sharia law of their choice in Karachi and Christian colony is fallen first victim on their target” Nazir Bhatti said

Dr. Nazir S Bhatti appealed to USA and EU to press upon government of Pakistan to take necessary measure to stop Talibanization and their Sharia law in Pakistan.

Nazir Bhatti urged Pakistani administration to provide security to Christians and ensure religious freedom in state which is feared by Sharia law in Swat Valley, Malakand and other areas.

PCC also mailed a memorandum to President of Pakistan to provide shelters and finnacial support to hundreds of Christian families forced to migrate from Swat valley.

Pakistan Christian Congress PCC have already filed petition with UNO New York offices on February 23, 2009, to award refugee status to Christian migrants of NWFP and other persecuted by Islamic laws in Pakitan.

http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/headlinenewsd.php?hnewsid=1088