Troops guard Pakistani Christians after mob torches churches


People gather at a church building vandalized by protesters in Jaranwala, Pakistan August 16, 2023 REUTERS/Fayyaz Hussain

LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters) -Paramilitary troops have cordoned off a Christian settlement in eastern Pakistan where a Muslim mob vandalised and torched several churches and scores of houses after two men living there were accused of desecrating the Koran, police and witnesses said on Thursday.

The attack took place in Jaranwala in the industrial district of Faisalabad on Wednesday, and continued for more than 10 hours without any intervention by police who were at the scene, residents and community leaders said. Police denied the accusation, saying security forces had prevented an even worse situation.

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