Further Attacks Alarm Christians
9 October 2002 Two more attacks on Christian targets in Pakistan have alarmed Pakistani Christians who feel exposed and vulnerable to further attacks. In the first incident a small bomb exploded outside a Christian prayer hall in Kolhu, Baluchistan province on Sunday 29 September. Some worshippers were inside the building at the time but were not injured. The hall is not a formal church building but is used for different purposes including prayers by the Christian community. The second attack occurred on Friday 4 October when a grenade was thrown into the out patients courtyard of Bannu Mission Hospital, in the North-West Frontier Province. The grenade bounced three times before exploding near the main gate of the hospital. No one was close to the explosion but a patients’ attendant was slightly injured and there was slight damage to the building. The two attackers were riding a motorcycle and escaped after the attack. A Christian leader who visited the hospital shortly after the attack said, “All of the staff and all parts of the building are safe. Please keep the entire situation in your prayers.” As there were no casualties in either of these attacks, they have not received widespread publicity but they demonstrate the pattern of continuing attacks against Christian targets in Pakistan, coming just days after gunmen killed seven people in an attack on a Christian Charity in Karachi. In the last twelve months there have been seven such attacks on Christian targets and they are now occurring with increasing frequency. PRAY Pray that churches and Christian institutions in Pakistan will be kept safe from further attacks by Islamic extremists. Pray for Christians in Pakistan who are extremely fearful at this time. Pray for their protection and that the Lord will help them to remain strong in their faith in these difficult circumstances. Pray for those perpetrating these attacks. Pray that God will work in their hearts and remove their hatred of Christians. BARNABAS FUND E-MAIL NEWS SERVICE The Barnabas Fund’s e-mail news service provides our supporters with short urgent news briefs and prayer requests for suffering Christians around the world. Please do share these news items with your Christian friends and churches. All news items are available on our website in a more colourful user-friendly presentation format which you can access, print and pass on. If you are not already receiving these news briefs directly from the Barnabas Fund and would like to, please contact us with your name, postal and e-mail addresses, and details of the church you attend. The Barnabas Fund, The Old Rectory, River Street, PEWSEY, Wiltshire, SN9 5DB, UK, Tel 01672 564938, Fax 01672 565030, E-mail info@barnabasfund.org Web www.barnabasfund.org