In Pakistan's province of Punjab, in the city of Gojra, violence broke out Saturday between Muslim extremists (members of the banned Sipah-e-Sahaba group) and Christians. AP reports that hundreds of Muslims began torching Christian homes after a false report that a Quran had been defaced. At least six Christians (including a child) were killed and ten were wounded. Subsequently shots were fired on a peaceful Muslim procession passing a Christian neighborhood. Paramilitary forces were sent to assist police. According to Geo News, Punjab’s Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharif, promising harsh punishment of those who took the law into their own hands, has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident.
UPDATE: The New York Times on Sunday posted a more personalized account of the situation in an article titled Hate Engulfs Christians in Pakistan.
