7 Killed, 20 Injured at Pakistan’s Church Attack

Two attackers targeted a Methodist church in Quetta, but only one managed to detonate his vest, said Sarfaraz Bugti, CNN cited interior minister of Balochistan province as saying. The second attacker was shot by a church security guard before he detonated his explosives, Bugti said.

More than 400 people were in the church at the time of the attack.

Security guards at the church exchanged fire with the attackers before they could enter the main perimeter, said provincial police chief Moazzam Jah.

The church had guards because Christian places of worship are often targeted by militant extremist groups.

There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

Extremist militants have on numerous occasions in the past targeted Pakistani minorities, including Shiite Muslims and Christians.

Critics blame the Pakistani government for its unwillingness to take decisive measures to protect minority communities threatened by extremist groups.

International organizations and rights groups have been pressuring Islamabad to take strong action against militant groups behind the violence in the country.