MONDAY MARCH 16: Bomb blasts at Lahore churches: 15 killed, 80 injured; two suspects lynched by mob

LAHORE: Bomb blasts outside Roman Catholic Church and Christ's Church in Lahore's neighbourhood Yohannabad killed 15 and caused injuries to around 80 on Sunday. Both churches were showing high attendance on account of mass yesterday-a normal practice on Sundays. Suicide bombers blew themselves up at the gates of two churches.
A TTP splinter group, Jamatul Ahrar, has claimed the responsibility of the act. Ehsan Ullah Ehsan, the spokesman for the organisation, told media in Islamabad and Peshawar from Afghanistan that 'Aafia Siddiqui Brigade was assigned to carry out the attack.
Two men, suspected of involvement in the blasts, were lynched by an enraged mob.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has condemned the blasts and expressed a deep sense of sorrow and grief over the loss of precious human lives, including those of police officials. The Punjab government and Pakistan Baitul Maal have announced compensation for the heirs of the dead and the injured.
Two security guards were among those killed in the blasts. One of them tried to stop a bomber from entering the church while the other lost his life in his struggle to protect worshippers.
At least one policeman was also among those killed while five received serious injuries.
The Christian community has announced the closure of all missionary schools across the country for three days.
Following an attack on the churches, enraged protesters held three policemen hostage. They were later released through administration's efforts. Police also restored to fire in air to disperse an enraged crowd. Protestors while blocking Ferozpur Road also attacked a metro bus terminal.
Pastor David, a local cleric, said one blast took place at the entrance of one church where a congregation was in progress while the second blast took place in the other church. He said that the distance between two churches is less than 500 meters.
Meanwhile, Inspector General Police Punjab Mushtaq Ahmed Sukhra has ordered to strengthen security on mosques and churches across Punjab.
Reuters adds: Bombs outside two churches in the Pakistani city of Lahore killed 14 people and wounded nearly 80 during Sunday services, and witnesses said quick action by a security guard prevented many more deaths.
Sunday's blasts occurred minutes apart in a majority Christian suburb of the eastern city. Police said it seemed they targeted two churches, one Catholic and one Protestant, that are very close to each other.
After the explosions, enraged residents protested and lynched two suspects, police said.
"I was sitting at a shop near the church when a blast jolted the area. I rushed towards the spot and saw the security guard scuffle with a man who was trying to enter the church. After failing, he blew himself up," said witness Amir Masih.
"I saw his body parts flying through the air."
The guard died as well, he said. It was not clear if the first blast was also triggered by a suicide bomber, Masih said. Fourteen people were killed and 78 wounded, said Zahid Pervaiz, provincial director of general health.
"The rescue operation is still underway and the death toll may increase," rescue services spokesman Sajjad Hussain said.
The Taliban faction Jamaat-ul-Ahrar claimed responsibility.
Pope Francis told crowds at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican he felt "great pain" over the bomb attacks, departing from scripted remarks in his customary address on Sunday.
"These are Christian churches. Christians are persecuted, our brothers spill their blood simply because they are Christians," the pontiff said.
Following the blast, enraged residents lynched two men they suspected of involvement, a police official said. Journalist Riaz Ahmed said he had seen the two burnt bodies at an intersection. Protesters also smashed shops and attacked vehicles. Police and several politicians were chased from the scene, residents said.
The city is considered peaceful compared with many other areas of Pakistan, but violence has been increasing after the government's failed attempts to hold peace talks with the Taliban last year.
After the talks failed, the military launched an offensive in the remote north-western region of North Waziristan along the Afghan border to push the Taliban from the last major region they controlled. The military now holds the major urban centres there, but residents say many militants fled before the offensive began and others remain in rural areas.