March 9 – 15, 2015

March 15: Two churches attacked in Lahore

Fifteen people were killed and around 75 injured when two suicide bombers blew themselves up during prayers at two churches in Youhanabad, sparking mob violence in which two suspected militants were set on fire.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) faction Jamaat-ul-Ahrar claimed responsibility for the twin attacks at St John’s Catholic Church and Christ Church School. Investigations into the attack also revealed that local security officials had been watching a cricket match when the suicide bombers entered the churches. However, private guards at the site managed to prevent the attackers from going further, potentially saving far larger casualties. The News