8 killed in suicide attack on church in Pakistan

A suicide attack on a church in the Pakistani city of Quetta has killed at least eight people, including three women, authorities said on Sunday.

Twenty people were also hurt when two suicide bomber stormed The Bethel Memorial Methodist Church in Quetta’s Zarghoon Road, Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said.

“One bomber was killed at the main gate of the church while another exploded himself inside the religious place,” the minister added.

“The operation has not yet concluded. We are searching for the remaining terrorists,” he said.

Bugti said the suicide bombers were also reportedly carrying weapons. FC and police personnel shot one of them dead before he could enter the church.

The minister said around 300-400 people are usually present in the church on Sundays. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Mohammad Faisal condemned the attack.

He shared on Twitter: “Attack of terrorists on Zarghoon road church in Quetta is condemned. Pakistan’s resolve against terrorism cannot be deterred by these cowardly acts.

A woman was among those killed.  A large contingent of police and Frontier Corps (FC) personnel have surrounded the attack site and are conducting a search operation. A bomb disposal team is on standby.

An emergency has been declared in the city’s hospitals.

No terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack.