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22 killed as militants attack worship places in Pakistan: police

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, May 28, IRNA-- Up to 22 people were killed as two groups of militants stormed worship places of a religious group, declared non-Muslims in Pakistani in early 70s, and held hostage hundreds of worshippers in the Pakistan’s eastern Lahore city on Friday.

The militants, wearing suicide jackets and holding hand grenades, entered the worship places of Ahmadi group at Garhi Shahu and Model Town areas of Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, they said. Pakistani Taliban group claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Militants attacked the worship places when hundreds of people were worshiping, police and witnesses said. They held hundreds of worshipers hostage inside the worship places, they said.

Director General of the Police Rescue, Dr Rizwan said that 22 people were confirmed dead in Model Town area. He said that 21 people were injured who were shifted to several hospitals.

Rizwan said there are also casualties in Garhi Shahu area but the bodies and injured could not be collected as the security forces are still engaged in the operation against the attackers. TV channels reported that 10 people were killed in Garhi Shahu area, but there was no official confirmation of these deaths.

Police Chief Tariq Salim Dogar said that one attacker was killed and other injured and arrested. He said the operation is continuing to end siege of the worship places and to arrest the attackers. Police said that two attackers blew themselves up to avoid arrest.

The militants threw hand grenades as they forced their way to enter the worship places and alter opened fire on the worshipers and held them hostage, police said.
A large number of anti-terror police, backed by armoured vehicles, rushed to the sites and exchanged fire with the militants, police said.

TV footage showed armed policemen surrounding the worship place. Several injured were also shown while leaving the worship place. At least one armed militant was shown taking position at the top of the worship place and firing at the police.

It was earlier announced by the police that they have cleared both places of the militants but firing was heard later.

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani strongly condemned the firing incidents at Lahore and expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of precious lives, PM office said. He ordered the authorities for provision of best medical facilities to the injured. He also ordered an enquiry into the incident.

Ahmadi is a religious movement founded towards the end of the 19th century and originating with the life and teachings of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. Pakistan has around 4 million Ahmadis and is the only state to have officially declared the Ahmadis to be non-Muslims.

In 1974 Pakistan's parliament adopted a law declaring Ahmadis to be non-Muslims; the country's constitution was amended to define a Muslim “as a person who believes in the finality of the Prophet Muhammad.