Christian neighborhoods ATTACKED by suicide bombers

Armed militants storm Christian neighborhoods in Pakistan.

Two Christian neighborhoods in Northwestern Pakistan were attacked by armed militants.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Multiple attackers, armed with suicide vests, approached two largely Christian neighborhoods, resulting in a total of 11 innocent deaths and 46 injured.

According to the Pakistani police, the first attack, near the town of Peshawar, occurred when four militants stormed the neighborhood, leading to a shootout that killed four of the attackers and one Christian.

Security officials and civilian guards were injured during the shootout.

"One of them went into a church, but no one was there at the time," explained Local police official Shaukat Khan, to Catholic Herald. "It was not immediately clear if any of the suicide bombers had detonated their explosives."

"The quick response from the local civilian guards and security forces prevented more deaths."

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a Taliban faction, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

In the town of Mardan, 25 miles from Peshawar, a fifth suicide bomber also initiated an attack by throwing a grenade at the district court.

"Lawyers, policemen, and passers-by were among the ten people killed in the attack. Some of the wounded were critically injured," expressed government spokesman Mushtaq Ghani.

Those responsible for the second attack have not come forward.

Unfortunately, these types of attacks on Christians have become all too common, especially in Pakistan - a Muslim majority nation. Christians living in Pakistan often choose to live together in "Christian-only neighborhoods," but this could be making them more vulnerable.

A March suicide bomb detonated during an Easter celebration in Lahore, killing around 70 people. And just last month, a bomb ripped apart the outside of a hospital in Quetta, also killing 70 people.

"These cowardly attacks cannot shatter our unflinching resolve in our war against terrorism," stated Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

As Catholics, we also know too well a thing or two about persecution. It is important that we do not let the Devil win this war; we must always stand together - brave and strong.