Suicide attack on Church kills 8 in SW Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Dec 17 (KUNA) -- At least eight people were killed and around 28 others wounded during a Church blast in Quetta city of Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, said officials Sunday.
Balochistan's home minister, Sarfraz Bugti told media that the attack targeted the Bethel Memorial Methodist Church on Quetta's Zarghoon Road at a time when prayers of Christian community were being held.
He said that a suicide bomber blew himself up at the entrance gate of the church when stopped by the security guards while another one managed to get inside. There around 400 worshipers were in the church.
Balochistan Police chief, IG Moazzam Ansari said that police assigned to the church's security reacted in a timely manner and averted a much larger tragedy. The church is located in the city's high-security zone that houses several important government installations. (end) sbk.gta