January (Web-only) 2004

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Church damaged, Christians injured as car bomb explodes in Karachi
Around 3:30 p.m. (5:30 a.m. Eastern) today, Karachi police received an anonymous tip that the Pakistan Bible Society would be attacked. Indeed, it was, but the tip itself was apparently part of the attack.

As police arrived, two motorcyclists reportedly drove up, threw a small explosive device—reportedly a firecracker—at the Bible society's offices, then drove away. That attack, along with the police tip, was apparently designed to draw a crowd. The real attack came about 15 minutes later, when a car parked nearby exploded. (The car was reportedly stolen earlier in the day from a government official.)

"We were investigating the first explosion when the second explosion occurred," Mohammed Iqbal, deputy superintendent of a paramilitary force called the Rangers, told the Associated Press (photos). "It was a sudden and huge explosion."

At least twelve Pakistanis were injured, including six police and Rangers and at least two Bible Society employees. (China's Xinhua news agency is the only outlet reporting one death.) The nearby Holy Trinity Church, a Karachi landmark, was also damaged in the blast.

"This terrorist act has increased the sense of insecurity among Christians," Shahbaz Bhatti, head of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, told the news service. "We are shocked, grieved and worried. … These people are hell-bent on creating anarchy in the country."

Expect more details in the next few days, and keep your eyes on Pakistan Christian Post's web site.

Church attacked in Sri Lanka While Muslims were presumably behind the attack in Pakistan, Buddhists continue to attack in Sri Lanka. St. Michael's Church in Katuwana, Homagama, is the latest victim in a series ...