TERRORIST ATTACK
Jihadists claim credit for bombing Pakistan church
At least nine die in the suicide bomb attack on a Methodist church in Quetta claimed by Islamic State
Islamabad — A suicide bomb attack on a Pakistan church claimed by the Islamic State group killed at least nine people and wounded 58 during a service on Sunday, just over a week before Christmas. Two women were among the dead at a Methodist church in the restive southwestern city of Quetta in Balochistan province, said provincial Home Secretary Akbar Harifal. Several of the wounded were in serious condition, police said. Officials said police intercepted and shot dead one attacker outside the church before he could detonate his bomb. But the second managed to reach the church’s main door, where he blew himself up. "Police were quick to react and stop the attackers from entering into the main hall," provincial police chief Moazzam Jah said. Each attacker was carrying 15kg of explosive plus grenades, said civil defence official Aslam Tareen. Islamic State, in a brief statement on its Amaq news agency, claimed responsibility. About 250 people normally attend the church on Sundays but t...
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