Muslims attack Easter service
1 dead, 6 injured at Pakistani church
Posted: March 30, 2005
1:00 a.m. Eastern
2005 WorldNetDaily.com
Four armed, Muslim assailants opened fire on Christian worshippers
during an Easter service in a Pakistani village, killing one and
injuring six others, according to a monitor of persecution against
Christians.
The gunmen were members of a Muslim family who opposed the
congregation in the village of Khambay near Lahore, the Voice of the
Martyrs Canada reported.
The attack took place at about 10 a.m. Sunday morning service at
Victory Church International, also known as the New Apostolic Church.
Arshad Masih, a young husband and father of a one-year-old daughter,
was killed as he walked outside the church building to find out what
was happening. Six others, including Pervez Masih, Naeem Masih, Arshed
Masih, Ismael Masih, and two unidentified participants in the service,
were fired on as they came out of the church. The attackers then fled.
New Apostolic Church was attacked Sunday near Lahore, Pakistan.
Some reports indicate children were playing outside.
The injured are in a hospital in Lahore, and one is reported in
critical condition.
Sources for VOM said authorities have arrested three men in connection
with the attack, Muhammad Mukhtar Dogar, Muhammad Sardar Dogar and
Muhammad Malki Dogar. Two other suspects are still at large.
VOM said the incident comes after a weekend of threats and
intimidations by the Dogar family against the congregation.
The 150-member church was forced to cancel its Good Friday and
Saturday night services when the family threatened to kill anyone who
came to the church.
The Dogar family reportedly is seeking possession of the land on which
the New Apostolic Church and its graveyard has been located for the
last century.
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