PESHAWAR, Aug 11: The Christian community offered Sunday prayers under tight security arrangements in the provincial metropolis following a series of terrorist attacks on their hospital and churches in parts of Punjab.

Frontier Constabulary and police contingents set up pickets in front of churches and chapels located in cantonment and city areas. Agencies have been directed to remain vigilant and arrest any suspect in the jurisdiction of churches.

The city district government has beefed up security in the city after the hand-grenade attack in Taxila chapel which claimed four lives, including a terrorist.

Paramilitary forces have set up security points in various parts of the city. The capital city police installed monitoring camera at Karkhano market checkpost — bordering point between settled area and the tribal area of Khyber Agency — to monitor movement of people.

Law enforcement agencies fortified themselves behind the sandbags outside the churches to avert any eventuality.

Despite the prevailing tense situation a large number of worshippers thronged the city churches for offering service, and prayed for the Taxila victims who lost their lives while engaged in prayer service in a chapel. A very small number of foreigners visited Peshawar Garrison Club church due to tension. Majority of the foreigners have already left the city.

Meanwhile, a number of political parties have condemned attack on the Taxila chapel and demanded of the government to ensure security of the minorities and their worship places in the country.