LeJ disguised as Daesh targeting Christians in Quetta
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KARACHI: At least 15 Christians have been killed in a fresh spate of violence in Quetta.
No arrest has been announced.
In the latest attack on the religious minority, unidentified men sprayed volley of bullets on worshipers who were walking out of a church after attending the Sunday service. Two people died and three others, including two girls, were wounded.
It was the second drive-by shooting in Balochistan’s capital within two weeks. On April 2, four Catholics were killed in a similar attack in the city’s Shah Zaman area.
Nine Christians were killed a week before Christmas when two suicide bombers struck the Bethel Memorial Church in Quetta.
Civil and security officials have yet to make any arrests despite a surge in attacks on the vulnerable minority.
The Khorasan branch of the so-called Islamic State, also known as Daesh Khorasan, has claimed responsibility for all three attacks.
Security forces deny the organized presence of the IS in Balochistan.
“No organized network of Daesh exists in Balochistan,” DIG Quetta Abdul Razzaq Cheema told SAMAA on phone.
“LeJ and its offshoot LeJ al-Almi with the support of Daesh’s network operating in Afghanistan are carrying out the attacks in Balochistan.”
Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti blames Afghanistan.
“Groups backed by Afghanistan are staging attacks in the province,” he claimed, adding Daesh had made false claims in the past.
The minister, however, said his government would “unearth the people involved in subversive activities”.
Cheema said that Daesh was actually the LeJ and its leader was hiding in Afghanistan.
“LeJ and other sectarian groups have thrown their weight behind Daesh and they are working for them,” DIG Cheema said.
Civil and security officials have yet to make any arrests despite a surge in attacks on the vulnerable minority.
The Khorasan branch of the so-called Islamic State, also known as Daesh Khorasan, has claimed responsibility for all three attacks.
Security forces deny the organized presence of the IS in Balochistan.
“No organized network of Daesh exists in Balochistan,” DIG Quetta Abdul Razzaq Cheema told SAMAA on phone.
“LeJ and its offshoot LeJ al-Almi with the support of Daesh’s network operating in Afghanistan are carrying out the attacks in Balochistan.”
Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti blames Afghanistan.
“Groups backed by Afghanistan are staging attacks in the province,” he claimed, adding Daesh had made false claims in the past.
The minister, however, said his government would “unearth the people involved in subversive activities”.
Cheema said that Daesh was actually the LeJ and its leader was hiding in Afghanistan.
“LeJ and other sectarian groups have thrown their weight behind Daesh and they are working for them,” DIG Cheema said. APP/AFP
