Plainclothes police last week entered and ransacked several Christian homes in the “Maryam Town” slum of Sargodha, Pakistan’s 10th-largest city. During the raid, they assaulted residents, leaving some “critically injured”, vandalised property, and stole cash and household goods.

Police, arriving in two vehicles, allegedly made their way into at least two Christian homes on December 11, wrecking house hold appliances and other valuables.

During the raids, “policemen also inflicted severe torture on Christian women leaving them critically injured…[They] left with their bags containing cash, jewelry and pricey cosmetics,” said residents protesting against the violence in front of the nearby police station.
[…]
Christian youngsters attempting to end the attacks against women, were allegedly beaten with truncheons. “Those ruthless policemen arrested and took with them an innocent Christian youth Imran Masih with out any allegations”, Christian protesters told BosNewsLife on condition of anonymity.

Neighbours had to pay police 1000 Pakistani rupees (about US$13) to secure the young man’s release.

Sargodha Police Chief Usman Anwer condemned the “police terrorism”, and promised to investigate and prosecute those responsible.

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Tags: Pakistan, Persecution
Filed under: Asia-Pacific, Christianity, Religious Liberty/Persecution
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