Pakistan attack
In early March, a gang of militant Muslims descended on the small village of Sangowali in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The 25-strong mob targeted local Christians, breaking down doors, entering their houses and beating them with clubs and iron rods.
Women tried to protect their sons and husbands, but the mob was indiscriminate in their attack. Many Christians were injured, three of them severely, and one woman died of her injuries. The wounded were rushed to hospital, but their journey was delayed as the gang blocked the road shouting abuse and firing their guns.
It is thought the attack was intended to punish the professing Christian community in the village because of the actions of a 16-year-old Christian boy. Prior to the attack, he had been sexually harassed by local Muslims and had pressed charges against his attackers at the local police station.
The families of the injured Christians are struggling to obtain justice for their relatives from the local police, as the accused are influential in the area. A charge of murder has been registered and 10 Muslim men have been named, but as yet no one has been arrested.
