On October 28, five men armed with automatic weapons opened fire at the congregation at Saint Dominic’s Catholic Church, Bahawalpur, killing 16 Christians and a Muslim. While there have been many incidents of attacks on Christians, this was the first time that people were shot dead within the premises of a church.  The 60-year-old Church, its walls scarred with bullet holes, was closed and will reopen after special prayers have been offered.

            Taj Deen, an eyewitness, says there were about 50 people in the church and Pastor Emmanuel Allah Ditta was winding up the sermon, when the assailants opened fire and people scrambled to hide behind the altar and in the sacristy.

            The only police guard camped outside the church at the time was shot dead before the men entered.  The attackers locked the church doors before opening fire at the men, women and children there.  Six men, seven women and two children, aged two and seven years were brutally murdered.  Eleven of the dead belonged to the same family.  Five of the injured are still at the Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur. 

            At the time the incident took place the Protestant community was at prayer, and the service was to be followed by a Sunday Mass.  About 400 to 500 Catholics come to the Church every Sunday and if the incident had taken place during the Mass, casualties would have been much higher.  Fortunately, prayer times had just been changed from summer to winter timings, and the Catholic service delayed accordingly.

            According to Church sources, a week earlier, some men had approached the police guards, questioning them about church timings.  The policemen informed Dominican Father Rocus Patras, the parish priest of Bahawalpur, about the incident and an application was submitted to the police for protection.  “But the authorities failed to protect our people,” complain the local community.

            On the day of the attack, Muslims of the areas came to the Church to console the bereaved.  They also arranged for food and water for the Christians who had gathered in the Church premises.  The Muslims of Bahawalpur vehemently condemned the attack and closed their shops to mourn.  On October 29, the business community announced a shutter-down protest to express their solidarity with the  Christian community.

             President Musharraf strongly condemned the incident, saying the culprits would be brought to injustice and a plan to stem terrorism put into action.  Senior government officials also visited the Church to express their solidarity with the grieved families and the Christian community.

             Government representatives called the incident an act of terrorism, which would not be tolerated at any cost.  Dr. Khalid Ranjha, provincial minister for law and minority affairs,  announced that the government would give 100,000 rupees as compensation for the dead and 50,000 rupees for the injured.

             S. K. Tresslor, federal minister for minorities’ affairs, said, “I am shocked by the incident.  The Christians are faithful to their motherland and no Christian has ever betrayed the country throughout the history of Pakistan.  Those who are always trying to create disturbances in the country are responsible for this act.”

            During the funeral ceremony, Bishop Andrew Francis of Multan demanded a ban on all terrorist groups in the country.  Sister Norris Nawab, chairperson of the Justice and Peace Commission, a human rights body of the religious congregations of the Catholic Church, demanded that the government should take strong measures for the protection of religious minorities in Pakistan, and bring the culprits to justice.  Bishop S. K. Dass of Hyderabad, who is also  the Moderator of the Church of Pakistan said, “We are people of God,  followers of Jesus Christ.  We forgive those culprits, our faith is in God, he will do justice.”

            Muslim clerics of Multan city condemned the incident, as did Qazi Hussain Ahmed and other party leaders.  A representative of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, told the gathering, “In Bahawalpur, Christians and Muslims have lived together in peace for so many years.  Hopefully this sad incident will not create any gap between Christians and Muslims of Bahawalpur and their lives will remain secure in peace and harmony.”

            The new Governor of Punjab, Mr. Khalid Maqbool, went to Bahawalpur to meet Church leaders and assured his full cooperation to the Church authorities and the Christian community.  Pope John Paul II also expressed his grief over the incident, conveying his heartfelt condolences and condemning the  tragic act of intolerance.

            Christians say that the incident seems to be related to the Afghan situation.  Father James Channan OP, consultor, Vatican Commission on Religious Relations with Muslims, holds pro-Taliban fanatic groups responsible, saying that the attack was directly connected with the US attack on Afghanistan.  “We have nothing to do with America, we are Pakistanis.  Why do fanatics not understand this fact?” complains Ashraf Sahotra, an ex-Christian councillor in Bahawalpur.

            On October 29, the daily Nawa-e-Waqt, Multan, received a fax from the militant group Lashkar-e-Umar, claiming responsibility for the incident.  The fax stated, “We have accepted the crusade announced by US President George W. Bush.  This is the answer to Bush.  If he does not stop attacks on Afghanistan, we will continue to take action.”

            Shafiq, the person who faxed the message, has links with the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and is now under arrest.  His father is an Imam at a masjid in Shuja Abad, and associated with the Ulema-e-Deoband. 

             The police have also arrested 18 suspects from Bahawalpur, Yazaman Mandi, Alipur and Ucch Sharif.  Five belong to the Jaish-i-Muhammad which has many adherents in Bahawalpur,  and others to the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen.    

           Public figures, heads of political parties and government leaders have condemned the massacre, and many blame India for the heinous act.  Some blame the Indian agency RAW (Research and Analysis Wing).  But the General Secretary of the Jamaat-e-Islami, Munawar Hussain, said that those who murdered people in Imam Bargahs and mosques were responsible for the act.

            In the FIR, registered with the cantonment police, five accused have been mentioned.  The police has released sketches of three assailants.  The police drew sketches with the help of a lady who was standing outside the Church when the culprits came.  The men threatened her, but she entreated them to spare her, and they entered the church.  She is now receiving threatening calls.

            During a meeting of local civil society organisations in Multan, the Naib Nazim of Multan District, Amir Dogar, said that only India could carry out such a terrorist act, yet the Christians of Pakistan should ask America to stop bombing Afghanistan.

            “It is very disappointing that the majority of Muslims condemned the attack on Christians, but at the same time they say that the Christians must ask America to stop bombing Afghanistan.  It shows that the majority of Muslims have the impression that the Christians have some special relationship with America,” says Hameed Sahar of  Multan.

           “Whenever anything happens anywhere in the world with regard to Islam, the religious minorities, especially Christians and Hindus become the target for fanatics.  After the attack on Afghanistan, Christians were initially fearful of a backlash, but  were not expecting this kind of an extremist attack,” says Sadiq Anjum, a Christian social worker from Bahawalpur.

          After the incident, Christians have formed a national social  committee, to promote harmony and unity within the various communities living in Bahawalpur.  “We will continue this work for the betterment of our nation,” says Father Emmanuel Mani, director, National Commission for Justice and Peace.

          The government has taken special measures to protect Christian lives, properties and places of worship, although the police, fearing further attacks, has also advised the community itself to remain vigilant.

          Church leaders have also advised their community to take measures for their own safety, as they anticipate further attacks.  “It is a pity that Christians have become victims of every national or international conflict.  And it is disturbing that for 54 years we have been announcing that we are Pakistanis, we do not have any link with any western country.  But we continue to be victimised,” complains Zafar Morris, a Christian town councillor from Lahore.