Two suicide bombers have killed 79 people in an attack during a Christian church service in northwestern Pakistan.
Muslim militants entered the All Saints Church compound while as many as 600 worshipers were listening to the sermon.
They detonated their explosives knowing that women and children would be among the casualties.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attacks, expressed solidarity with the Christian community and pledged to provide medical and emergency assistance to the victims.
The blasts, among the deadliest of roughly 85 bomb and suicide attacks in Pakistan this year, come two weeks after political leaders agreed to initiate dialogue with militants in the region, including the Taliban.
The attack also came one day after Pakistan released from prison a high-ranking member of the Afghan Taliban, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, formerly the Taliban’s second-in-command.
All Saints’ Church is part of the Church of Pakistan, which was formed in 1970 following a union between Lutherans, Scottish Presbyterians, Methodists and Anglicans.
The Taliban-linked militant group TTP Jundullah claimed responsibility within hours of the attack.
“They are the enemies of Islam, therefore we target them,” said the group’s spokesman, Ahmed Marwat. “We will continue our attacks on non-Muslims on Pakistani land.”
The attack has sparked protests by Christians and will jeopardise prospects for peace talks which the Government of Pakistan announced it would be holding with the Taliban.
Rashid Ahmed Khan, a professor of international relations at the University of Sargodha in Punjab province, said: “These attacks have put Sharif in a very tough spot. His offer of talks has emboldened these groups.”
Tomorrow: We report on the attack on Westgate Mall in Nairobi.
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Well done murdering terrorists you have just made 79 Christians martyrs, the real martyrs special to Yaweh.
Revelation 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.
As for you who think you are martyrs for Islam ——– this is what is in store for you
Revelation 21:8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, MURDERERS, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Revelation 22:15 But outside (OF HEAVEN) are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and MURDERERS and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.