Christian Beaten and Shot to Death in Front of His Kids

LAHORE, PAKISTAN (BosNewsLife)

Christians in Pakistan's Punjab province were still awaiting justice Tuesday, August 13, more than two weeks after a local Christian leader and landowner was shot and killed by at least one Islamic gunman in front of his young children, family members and activists said.

Ishaq Masih, a resident of an Okara district village near provincial capital Lahore, was reportedly shot dead July 27 while his two young sons were watching the bloodshed. The main gunman was publicly identified as Muhammad Luqman, also known as Ranjha. He allegedly illegally occupied Masih's land, accompanied by at least seven others.

"They surrounded us and started beating my father," said the late Christian's 15-year-old son, Arshad Masih in published remarks seen by BosNewsLife. "I and my brother cried for help but nobody was there to help us. They were laughing and raising slogans that this bleady Christian has a lot of land," he recalled in a statement distributed by rights activists. Local Christians linked the attack to Masih's activities who besides being an active landowner was also the village's Christian leader,  supporting reportedly persecuted Christians in the area.

Hat tip: RoP