KARACHI, Oct 30: Two local organisations working for peace and justice have slammed the killing of Christians in the firing incident at Bahawalpur.

The Idara-i-Amn-o-Insaf condemned the attack on worshippers and termed the carnage as terrorism. It demanded of the government to unearth the hidden hands responsible for the heinous crime.

The ecumenical church body expressed its concern and offered sympathy to the bereaved families. “In the aftermath of the US military action in Afghanistan some elements have attempted to portray this action as a religious war so as to fan religious hatred among Christians and Muslims,” said the statement signed by Father Peter John, not ruling out the possibility of foreign hands in the incident.

In another statement, the Joint Action Committee for Peace said that the massacre of innocent children, women and men in the church was an inhuman act of the extremist elements. The action committee, comprising members of the civil society organisations, has also announced to hold a demonstration on November 3 near the Karachi Press Club to condemn the incident.

The president and members of the National Executive of the All Pakistan Women’s Association (APWA) have condemned the Sunday’s killings in Bahawalpur, adds APP.

In a statement they sympathised with the bereaved families. “Our hearts go out to the grieved families- never has such an incident occurred in the history of Pakistan”, the APWA statement added. The members of APWA also demanded that the killers be brought to justice as soon as possible.

President, National Association of the British Pakistanis, UK Bashir Maan and president of the Islamic Centre and Central Mosque Glasgow UK, TM Shaheen, have condemned the massacre of Christian worshippers in a church in Bahawalpur and termed it un-Islamic, evil and barbaric act of terrorism, adds PPI

They urged the government to punish the terrorists and guarantee security of life and property of every citizen of Pakistan.