Christian Village under siege near Mian Channu - Sabir Masih (RIP) Gunned to death

We have received news of the tragic killing of a young man Sabir Masih yesterday morning, in District Khanewal in the Punjab province. Khalid Gill from APMA reported on the horrendous event that has left many victims receiving treatment in 3 local hospitals.

The affray was the consequence of a land dispute in which land purchased by a local church for the construction of an orphanage, was envied by local militants.  Concerned about the illegal sale of landf that had alreday been purchased by their church, local parishioners went to meet with the former owner to protest against a second  sale made by him to the Islamic militants.  They were met with by an armed group who shot indiscriminately at them, without warning.  Eye witnesses have confirmed that men, women and children involved in the protest group were shot at and injured.

Sabir Masih a 21 years old man was killed instantly and his  younger brother is now in critical condition, his mother has also been hospitalised.  Victims were rushed to THQ Hospital Mian Channu Tesil, Civil Hospital Khanewal and Nishtar Hospital Multan.  The scale of the attack was significant with a purported 29 victims of the shooting incident.

At 4pm today a funeral service was held for martyr Sabir Masih presided over by Rt. Rev. Bishop Leauo Paul from Multan Diocese.

Zeshan the son of of one of the injured protestor's commented;

"My father has suffered hand wounds, the brother of Sabir has been shot in the neck and is in a critical condition, a 22 year old girl has 22 pieces of shrapnel embedded in her face, how will she get married now?  Th perpetrators of this violence are a callous group who have sought to use violence to usurp our legal property because they feel Christians' are easy targets"

Khaild Shahzad commented;

"APMA youth are caring for the injured and looking after those Christians living in fear in the affected  village"


Please pray for a restoration of health for the innocent victims of this attack.  Pray also for succour for the family of deceased Sabir Masih and peace to be restored to this beleaguered community of Christians.

More information on this story can be found by clicking (here).

Christian attacks are common place in Miah Channu read more here:

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/rare-legal-victory-case-pakistani-christian-killed-after-refusing-convert-islam