SARGODHA, Feb 28: A group of people set fire to a church at Noori Gate here on Tuesday morning. Reports said the assailants entered the church after scaling its wall at about 5am and set it on fire after sprinkling petrol on its doors, windows and furniture.

Hundreds of Christians gathered on the church premises and expressed their anguish over the incident. Muslim ulema also reached the place and termed it an attempt to pitch Christians against Muslims.

Maulana Akram Toofani said no Muslim could set a church on fire as Islam preaches respect and protection to life and property and places of worship. He demanded that the government should reconstruct the church.

The district coordination officer and the tehsil nazim also reached the spot and assured the Christians that the church would be rebuilt on official expenses. Police have registered a case and sealed the FIR.