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Two Blasts in Pakistani Christian District Leave at Least 14 Dead

© AP Photo / Mohammad SajjadBlast in Pakistan
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Two bombs exploded at the gates of two Christian churches in Pakistan's second-largest city of Lahore, located near the northeast border with India, killing 14 and injuring 68 churchgoers.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — At least 14 people died in twin suicide attacks in city's southern suburb of Youhanabad, the Dawn daily reported Sunday.

The death toll is expected to rise even further.

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The outlet reported that a Taliban splinter group, Jamatul Ahrar, claimed responsibility for the suicide bombings. On Thursday, the group announced it was rejoining Pakistani Taliban after splitting from it and pledging allegiance to Islamic State extremist group last summer.

"I rushed towards the spot and saw the security guard scuffle with a man who was trying to enter the church. After failing, he blew himself up… I saw his body parts flying through the air… The guard died as well," one eyewitness was quoted as saying.

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Victims were immediately hospitalized, while rescue teams and emergency services were deployed on site.

Meanwhile, protesters have gathered in the Christian-majority suburb following the blasts, claiming security measures prior to the terror attacks were insufficient and demanding accountability from authorities. Police reportedly fired warning shots in an attempt to disperse the crowd.

The enraged mob has seized two suspects arrested near the blast site, beating them to death and setting their bodies on fire, the Pakistani newspaper reported. It added that the crowd briefly held four police officers hostage for foregoing their duties at the time of the attack.

Pakistan's largest city Karachi, as well as other cities throughout Pakistan, also saw protests among Christian community members following the twin explosions in Lahore, according to the newspaper.

In September 2013, another twin suicide attack at a Christian church killed 127 people and injured 250 in Peshawar, northwest Pakistan.

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