Tags

Attack

• Pastors Ambushed; One Fatally Wounded

  

  Two pastors were leaving All Saints' Church in Peshawar, Pakistan, together after the January 30th service when their car was ambushed by gunmen riding a motorcycle. Pastor William Siraj was fatally shot, and Pastor Patrick Naeem needed to be rushed to the hospital where he was treated and then released.

• Christians Murdered and Kidnapped by Islamic Militants

  

  Christians in Nigeria are appealing for prayer after yet another series of fatal attacks on their communities by militant Islamists. The following two attacks in January are recurring examples of the devastation that is being imposed on so many innocent people in Nigeria, particularly those of the Christian population. For more information on the relentless attacks on Christians in Nigeria, go to our country report.
  
  On January 11th, a group identified as Fulani militants attacked the village of Ancha in Plateau State, killing 18 Christians. According to witnesses, some of the attackers were wearing the uniform of the Nigerian army. During the raid, 30 armed Nigerian soldiers had been stationed to protect the town but stayed in their makeshift barracks, doing nothing to prevent the burning of homes, the destruction of vehicles, and the fatal wounding of villagers. When the attack was over, more than 500 bullet casings were found littering the ground.

• Christians Injured in Mob Attack

  

  A Christian advocate has challenged the state government of Chhattisgarh for being directly responsible for the ongoing violence perpetrated against members of the Christian minority. Arun Pannalal, the president of Chhattisgarh's Christian Forum, recounts at least ten reported incidents of Christian persecution in five different locations across the state since early January – and more than 200 incidents during the past two years. "It is a complete failure of the state government," he states.

• Christians Beaten Following Prayer Meeting

  

  On the afternoon of November 20th, the pastor of the Gospel Tabernacle Church in Polgolla, Sri Lanka, went to visit a Christian family with another member of his congregation for a time of prayer. As they were concluding their time together, the Christians noticed that a crowd had gathered outside, including a Buddhist monk.

• All Emmanuel Baptist Hostages Released!

  

  Christians in Kaduna State, Nigeria, were devastated after an attack took place in the village of Kakau Daji on October 31st in which at least one worshipper was killed and 66 kidnapped. (Read an earlier posted report about this incident.)Sadly, five of the hostages were shot by their captors on November 6th, leaving two dead and three others hospitalized.

• Ten Villagers Killed; Dozens of Homes Destroyed

  

  An overnight attack that took place in the Nigerian village of Ta'agbe on November 26th left ten Christians dead, including three children. According to witnesses, the attackers were dressed in black, carried sophisticated weapons, and shouted Islamic slogans while slaughtering the residents of the village and burning homes. It is estimated that over 100 houses were destroyed, displacing 690 people.

• Christians Targeted by Governmental Forces

  

  For many years, warring factions have caused issues throughout the country of Myanmar (also referred to as Burma). While most members of the population are Buddhist, some tribal groups such as the Chin and Karen peoples have large Christian communities. There is also a significant Muslim population among the Rohingya people.

• Ongoing Persecution of the Early Rain Covenant Church

  

  Since the Early Rain Covenant Church (ERCC) was raided in December 2018, leading to dozens of arrests, the opposition of government agents has been relentless. (For previous reports revealing the ongoing difficulties experienced by the members of this prominent church in Chengdu, click here.) While the church as a whole is no longer able to meet together, ERCCmembers continue to gather in small groups.

• Christians Protest Proposed Legislation and Pastor's Arrest

  

  Hundreds of Christians in India participated in a peaceful rally on October 25th in protest against proposed anti-conversion laws, as well as a recent mob attack on a church that resulted in the arrest of the pastor.

• Violent Attack During Worship Service

  

  A frenzied mob of more than 200 people burst into a worship service on Sunday, October 3rd, and began beating Christians, vandalizing the building, and looting items belonging to the church. The violent incident happened in Roorkee, a city located in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand.