Image: Jihad Watch
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Three Christians sustained injuries in a gun attack on Christmas Day at the residence of a pastor and televangelist in Lahore, Pakistan, sources report.
The incident followed a confrontation on Christmas Eve when Pastor Shahzad Siddique intervened to stop a group of Muslims from harassing his guests. The next day, over a dozen gunmen opened fire on Christians gathered outside his home in Maryam Colony, Lahore, according to Siddique, a Pentecostal preacher and host on Praise TV, a satellite channel.
“I had just returned from church and was resting when unidentified motorcyclists began shooting outside my house,” Pastor Siddique told Christian Daily International–Morning Star News.
Upon calling the police helpline, an assistant sub-inspector and another officer arrived within 25 minutes, coinciding with the arrival of church members for the planned Christmas celebrations, Siddique said.
“As I was briefing the police about the initial incident, youths on motorcycles suddenly appeared and began firing indiscriminately,” Siddique recounted. “Three people—my uncle, driver, and a church member—sustained bullet wounds to their arms, stomach, and leg. We managed to capture one attacker, while the others fled on foot, abandoning five motorcycles.”
Among the injured, Siddique’s uncle Arif Masih and his driver Adnan Pervaiz are now out of danger. However, the third victim, Akash Patras, remains in critical condition with abdominal injuries. Police have arrested five suspects and are conducting raids to apprehend the remaining culprits, Siddique said.
“I once believed this country was safe for us, but now I must admit it isn’t safe to be a Christian in Pakistan,” Siddique told the publication. “I have always preached peace and tolerance, but this unprovoked attack shows that extremist elements oppose a harmonious society.”
Nasir Jameel, a neighbor and member of Pastor Siddique’s church, attributed the attack to a minor altercation on Christmas Eve.
“On Dec. 24, Pastor Siddique was leading a rally of church members, including women and young girls, when a group of local Muslims in a car began misbehaving with the participants,” Jameel explained. “The pastor and other elders confronted them and asked them to stop harassing the congregants. This likely provoked the Muslims, leading to the attack.”
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