Pakistan police have arrested more than 100 Muslims after intentional attacks on Christian churches and homes.
The Muslim mob was angered over the alleged desecration of the Quran by a Christian man.
There were no casualties as Christians living in a residential area in the city of Jaranwala in the Faisalabad district quickly moved to safer places along with their families following one of the country’s most deadly attacks against Christians.
They destroyed and burnt one church and damaged at least four others. Two dozen homes were torched during the riot.
Shazia Amjad whose home was also torched said, while weeping:
“We were sitting at home when suddenly we heard that a mob is coming and it is burning homes and attacking churches.”
Amjad said the rioters sprinkled petrol to burn homes in their area, and they also stole jewelry and other things. Other Christians narrated similar experiences and expressed confusion.
Delegations of Muslim clerics arrived in Jaranwala to help calm the situation, as troops and police patrolled the area.
Local authorities have shut schools and offices and banned rallies for a week to prevent more violence.
Videos and photos posted on social media showed an angry mob descending upon a church, throwing pieces of bricks and burning them.
In another video, four other churches are attacked, their windows broken as attackers throw furniture out and set it on fire.
