QUETTA: Balochistan government on Monday declared 35 out of the total 60 churches in the province as 'sensitive' in an attempt to avert any terrorist attack, similar to Sunday's twin bombings in Lahore.

Sources in the Balochistan Home Department told DawnNews that most of these 'sensitive' churches are located in Quetta, the provincial capital. According to officials, security around the said churches has been tightened, with more policemen now deployed outside and around the churches to avoid any untoward incident.

The move comes just a day after suicide bombers attacked two churches in Lahore's Youhanabad, killing at least 16 people and injuring dozens other. The bombings resulted in immediate protests in Lahore, where a mob brutally lynched two suspects after taking them away from police custody.

The unrest in Lahore and other cities of Punjab continued on Monday, with Christian protesters clashing with baton-wielding policemen.

Know more: One dead in violent protests against church bombings.

The Balochistan government has also doubled security around Hindu temples in Quetta and other parts of the province.

Sources in the home department said 16 Hindu temples were declared ‘extremely sensitive’ and 39 as ‘sensitive’ across the province. The total number of temples in Balochistan is 76.

The provincial government also said it has increased security in and around Christian populations in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan.

Despite this, only one policeman was deployed outside Christian locality, Basti Panchiat, on Quetta's crowded Kasi road.

Anil Masih, a resident of the locality said just a single police guard was deployed at the community’s gate, where he said more than 7,000 Christians live. “How can one policeman protect all of us?” Anil questioned.

But according to police sources, two policemen have been deployed at Basti Panchiat.

UN condemns Lahore attacks

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned “in the strongest possible terms” the terrorist attacks on two Christian churches in Lahore during morning services, and called on the Pakistani government to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“The Secretary-General notes with grave concern that the Pakistani Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attacks while threatening to carry out more such acts in the future,” a statement read out by UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq at the regular noon briefing said.

“He (the UN chief) calls on the Government of Pakistan to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice and to do its utmost to prevent attacks against places of worship and protect religious minorities,” the statement said.

“The Secretary-General extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of Pakistan. “