It’s just eight days to Christmas and while Christians are preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus, an attack has left at least eight people dead.
Officials say security forces intercepted and shot one bomber outside but the second attacker managed to reach the church’s main door where he blew himself up. 30 others were wounded when two suicide bombers attacked a Methodist church during Sunday service.
According to provincial Home Secretary Akbar Harifal, two women were among the dead in the restive southwestern city of Quetta in Balochistan, Pakistan.
Officials said security forces intercepted and shot one bomber outside but the second attacker managed to reach the church’s main door where he blew himself up.
“Police were quick to react and stop the attackers from entering into the main hall,” provincial police chief Moazzam Jah told AFP. Balochistan provincial home minister Sarfraz Bugti said around 250 people normally attend the church on Sundays, but the congregation had swelled to around 400 because it was close to Christmas.
“God forbid, if the terrorists had succeeded in their plans more than 400 precious lives would have been at stake,” tweeted the home minister. No group has claimed the attack.
