Pakistan bombing targeted Christians on Easter
Christian women mourn the death of children and family members in Lahore Easter bombing
A bomb exploded in a Lahore, Pakistan park where a large gathering of Christians were celebrating Easter Sunday. At least 60 people are reported killed in this horrific terror attack.
Around 300 people were injured, many seriously as the bomb detonated in the parking lot area of the Gulsan-e-lqbal Park in Lahore. Police are actively investigating as reports are coming in that this may have been the deadly work of a suicide bomber.
The news of the explosion was even more heart wrenching as the blast was just outside the park exit gate near the rides for children.
“When the blast occurred, the flames were so high they reached above the trees and I saw bodies flying in the air,” Hasan Imran, 30, told Reuters.
Police officials are saying that most of the dead were women and children who were near the rides set up for the kids.
The park was was being used for a annual Easter Sunday event, attended by Christians living in Pakistan. “It was overcrowded because of Easter, there were a lot of Christians there,” Javed Ali, a 35-year-old who lives near the park, told AFP. “It was so crowded I told my family not to go.”
Security was provide by police and local security contractors. This did not stop a suicide bomber who was determined to kill Christians on Easter.
The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack. The was intended to target Christians during their Easter Sunday celebration at the park.
The U.S. condemned the attacks in a statement from National Security Council spokesperson Ned Price on Sunday.
“The United States condemns in the strongest terms today’s appalling terrorist attack in Lahore, Pakistan,” the statement said. “This cowardly act in what has long been a scenic and placid park has killed dozens of innocent civilians and left scores injured. We send our deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed, just as our thoughts and prayers are with the many injured in the explosion.
“The United States stands with the people and Government of Pakistan at this difficult hour. We will continue to work with our partners in Pakistan and across the region, as together we will be unyielding in our efforts to root out the scourge of terrorism.”
Terrorism against Christians by extremist Muslim groups is on the rise. ISIS has published videos of their radicalized followers beheading people merely for their Christian beliefs. Violence in the name of religion has gone on for centuries as some Islamic nations continue to seek the destruction of Israel and wage violence towards Christians.
