Pakistan: Hindu temple attacked by ‘rocket launchers’ in Sindh

According to a report in Pakistani news outlet Dawn, on Sunday morning, 16 July, a gang of dacoits attacked a Hindu temple with rocket launchers in Sindh’s Kashmore region.

The assailants reportedly targeted Hindu believers as they attacked the temple and the adjoining homes belonging to Hindus. They opened fire indiscriminately at the temple and adjoining houses.

After the firing incident, a local police unit headed by Kashmore-Kandhkot SSP Irfan Sammo reached the spot. According to the police official, the assailants fired “rocket launchers” at the place of worship which was closed at the time of the attack. Police estimated that there were eight to nine gunmen involved in the attack.

The police official informed that the temple opens annually for religious services conducted by the Bagri community, the Dawn reported.

SSP Sammo said, “The suspects fled from the scene after the attack. Police are conducting a search operation in the area.” He added that there were around eight to nine gunmen and they were tracking them in the riverine areas.

Dr. Suresh is a member of the Bagri community. He informed that the dacoits fired “rocket launchers” but they failed to explode, resulting in no loss of life.

According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, around 30 Hindus including women and children, were allegedly held hostage by organised criminal gangs.

The commission also expressed concerns that the criminals have threatened to attack Hindu temples with high-graded weapons. It said, “Moreover, we have received disturbing reports that these gangs have threatened to attack the community’s sites of worship, using high-grade weapons.”

It also called on the Sindh Home Department to investigate the matter without delay.

Source: OpIndia