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ZENIT - The World Seen From Rome
Code: ZE02092507
Date: 2002-09-25
8 Staffers of Catholic Group Are Shot Dead in Pakistan
Church Sources Link Murders to Other Recent Attacks
KARACHI, Pakistan, SEPT. 25, 2002 (Zenit.org).- Gunmen raided the offices of a Catholic organization, rounded up staffers and then shot them one by one, police said.
Six staff members of the Justice and Peace Commission died on the spot and two succumbed later in a hospital, authorities said.
Norris Nawab, chairman of the commission, told ZENIT that two terrorists entered the commission's office this morning and ushered staffers into a library, where they shot them in the head. Police said the two gunmen were about 25 to 30 years old.
According to Church sources, the terrorists belong to the same group that attacked a Bahawalpur church last October, an Islamabad church in March, and the Murree Christian School and Mission Hospital Texila in August.
Just two days ago, police arrested two militants of Harkat ul Mujahideen Al Almi, who disclosed that they had plans for more attacks on Christian institutions.
Police have been on the alert for the past two days, and security measures have been tightened outside churches and church institutions.
The Justice and Peace Commission has worked on issues of justice in Pakistan since 1972. Its main focus is to work for the poor and marginalized.
Condemning the attack, the commission sent faxes to the president of Pakistan and governor of Punjab, stating, "It seems that the government has failed to protect Christians in Pakistan."