The country is observing a day of mourning today for the 15 innocent souls who lost their lives in yesterday’s twin suicide attacks on churches in Lahore.
The attacks which sparked mob violence in the city also left over 80 others injured when two suicide bombers blew themselves up during prayers at two churches in Youhanabad neighbourhood, which is home to more than 100,000 members of the Christian community.
Police said two policemen guarding the churches were among those killed in the attacks, while two people were beaten to death by protesters who took to the streets after the blasts. The mob smashed vehicles and attacked a city bus station in a rare show of anger.
The funerals of the victims will be held today in different localities of Lahore.
Two separate First Information Reports (FIRs) have been lodged with the police against unidentified persons for plotting and carrying out the twin suicide bombings.
Officials said the cases, 389/150 and 390/15, were registered on the complaints of Father Francis Gulzar and Padre Irshad respectively, under the Section 7 of Anti Terrorism Act 1997, Explosive Act (1884), premeditated murder (Section 302), attempted murder (Section 324), and Section 327 of the Pakistan Penal Code.