44 people identified and booked for Sargodha mob attack on Christian – Pakistan

Sargodha police have identified and detained 44 people for their alleged involvement in mob violence against a Christian accused of desecrating the Holy Quran the day before in the city's mujahid colony, we learned on Sunday.

Police on Saturday rescued the man and two Christian families from the angry mob that wanted to lynch him and break into the homes of other members of the minority community.

The incident took place after some residents of the colony found burnt pages near an electric pole and the houses of the Christian family.

The first information report (FIR) into the incident, lodged hours after the incident, invoked sections 324 (attempt to murder), 186 (obstructing public servants in discharge of duty), 353 ( assault on a public official in the exercise of his duties), 436 (mischief by fire or explosive material with intent to destroy a house), 440 (mischief by fire or explosive material with intent to cause death or injury) 149 (Any member of an unlawful assembly guilty of an offense committed in pursuit of a common object) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

The suspects were also booked under sections 7 (punishment for acts of terrorism) and 11WW (lynching) of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997.

According to the FIR filed by Station House Officer (SHO) Shahid Iqbal, agitated residents had gathered outside the victim's house. Armed with sticks, stones and other weapons, they allegedly attempted to force their way into the house.

After calling for reinforcements, the police, the Sargodha Peace Committee and other residents tried to calm the crowd – which now numbered between 300 and 400 people – and resolve the situation through dialogue, but to no avail, says the FIR.

The mob also set fire to a nearby shoe factory and tried to enter the victim's house through the adjacent roofs, the FIR claims. The mob also allegedly destroyed electricity meters and outdoor air conditioning units outside Maseeh's house, which they then set on fire.

SHO Iqbal and other police officers present at the scene pulled out the victim from the burning house. However, after bringing him outside, they were surrounded by the crowd, who threw stones at them and hit them with sticks, seriously injuring the Christian.

The FIR also claimed that women were also among those who instigated the mob and encouraged violent behavior.

Rizwan Younus Gill, nephew of the suspect, had said Dawn Saturday that his uncle was in stable condition. He said that a few days ago, a TLP activist exchanged harsh words with his cousins, but the matter was resolved through negotiations. He denied the allegations of desecration.

Meanwhile, District Police Officer (DPO) Assad Ejaz Malhi said that head constable Aneesur Rehman played the role of a hero and stood in front of the gangsters to save the Christian families. He said additional police units were stationed throughout the city to ensure the safety of the Christian community.

In a report on “Diligent police officers are on duty to ensure the security of Christian places of worship,” the statement said.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Mohammad Faisal Kamran visited churches in Lahore and personally inspected security arrangements. The DIG, in charge of operations, “expressed satisfaction with the safety of the faithful,” indicates a message published from his office on X.