Audio By Carbonatix
Gunmen killed a Christian priest and wounded another as the clerics drove home from church in Pakistan's northwestern city of Peshawar on Sunday, police said.
Two attackers on a motorcycle opened fire on the car on the city's ring-road, killing Pastor William Siraj instantly, officers added.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the shooting in a city where scores of people died in a twin suicide bombing outside a church in 2013 -- one of the deadliest attacks on Pakistan's Christian minority.
Azad Marshall, the most senior bishop in the Church of Pakistan, condemned the attack and tweeted: "We demand justice and protection of Christians from the Government of Pakistan."
Pakistan's northwestern areas bordering Afghanistan have seen a rise in militant attacks on security forces in recent days, many of them claimed by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a group which associates itself with the Afghan Taliban.
TV footage showed emergency services removing Siraj from the car, and people chanting "Long live Jesus Christ" as they carried his body on a bed through the streets to a house. Mourners hugged each other and sobbed.
Pastor Siraj's colleague -- named by Bishop Azad as the Reverend Patrick Naeem -- was out of danger and being treated for his injuries, a spokesman for the city's Lady Reading hospital said.
Bishop Azad said both were clergy of the Diocese of Peshawar in the Church of Pakistan, which is a union of protestant churches including the Methodists and the Anglicans.
Latest Stories
-
WASSCE decline reveals deep gaps, there’s need to overhaul education system – Franklin Cudjoe
13 minutes -
JOY FM Drive Time host Lexis Bill leads fans up Aburi Mountain in energetic ‘Walk With Lexis’ fitness experience
21 minutes -
2026 World Cup: Ghana to open campaign in Toronto against Panama
35 minutes -
President Mahama, Lordina support retired Assemblies of God pastors, widows with medical care and Christmas gifts
50 minutes -
2025/26 GPL: Nations FC fight back to claim 2-1 win over Heart of Lions
53 minutes -
Tanzania responds to international criticism over October post-election events
1 hour -
Burkina Faso plans to restore death penalty for treason, terrorism, espionage
1 hour -
One killed, 27 arrested in Tamale police operation
1 hour -
GTDC calls for synergy as its marketplace gains global traction
1 hour -
ADB lauds gov’t’s agricultural initiatives, commits to providing needed support
1 hour -
US Embassy hosts World Cup draw watch party, fans upbeat about Ghana’s chances
1 hour -
If Sammy Darko were in Police Service, he wouldn’t even be a Superintendent – Martin Kpebu
2 hours -
Minister rejects claims of political bias as NDC Regional chair is named North East Best Farmer
2 hours -
Notorious Ashaiman robber arrested in joint police operation
2 hours -
OSP says probe into SML predates Manasseh Azure Awini’s petition
2 hours
