Intolerance: Ahmadi place of worship stormed in Chakwal

Two killed, dozens wounded in violent clashes

LAHORE: Participants of a religious procession stormed a worship place of the Ahmadiyya community in Chakwal on Monday, leaving two people dead and several wounded.

The mob opened fire before setting fire to prayer mats, carpets, refrigerator and other furniture in the compound.

The police that was outnumbered by attackers was easily subdued. Later army and Rangers troops reached the spot and got the complex vacated from the attackers after holding a dialogue with them. The building was later sealed.

On Tuesday, members of the Ahmadiyya community had to take the body of Khalid Javed, who died of cardiac arrest in the complex during the attack, to Chenab Nagar for burial because the police asked them to not hold his burial in the area for fears of unrest.

Muhammad Shafiq, among the attackers, who died of a bullet injury, was buried in the area after offering his funeral prayers which were attended by a large number of people.

Ahmadi families living in Dulmial Village have fled their homes fearing reprisal. Police after registering an FIR have started arresting people accused of attacking the worship place.

Malik Nawaz, the police officer in charge of the Choa Saiden Shah area where the attack took place, told The Express Tribune that police registered FIR 214/14 under sections 302, 324, 295, 295-A, 436, and 148/148 of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 7 of Anti-Terrorism Act against both parties.

“All Ahmadi families have fled and right now it is not our priority to bring them back. Our priority is to establish rule of law and ensure peace in the area,” he added.

Syed Sibtul Hasan Shah, a member of the International Khatm-i-Nabuwat said police arrested 30 innocent people. He said they would approach the police for registration of FIR on their complaint against the Ahmadi community.

Jamaat Ahmadiyya spokesman Saleemuddin said the attackers numbering over 1,000 attacked the worship place and occupied it after forcibly evicting Ahmadis.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 14^th, 2016.