Slaughter of Ahmadi Muslims: Brazen terror attacks in Lahore

In Garhi Shahu, the terrorists besieged the worship place, taking hundreds of people hostage. A four-hour clash ensued as police exchanged gunfire with fighters stationed inside and on the rooftop.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |
Source & Credit: The Nation
By Ashraf Javed | May 29, 2010

LAHORE – At least 10 terrorists equipped with sophisticated weapons stormed two leading worship places of Ahmadis in Model Town and Garhi Shahu areas here in the provincial metropolis after Friday prayers killing 80 [updated: 93] people and injuring about 200 others.

Security sources said that it was the first major attack on Ahmadis in Lahore with such large-scale casualties.


One terrorist was captured unhurt during the successful operation carried out in Model Town as he failed to blow himself up. Intelligence sources said that the 30-year-old terrorist was shifted to some unknown location. All the other attackers either blew themselves up or were shot dead by the police.

The terrorists carried out the gun-and-bomb attacks seconds before the start of the prayers. At least four to six terrorists hit Baitul Zikr, the worship place of Ahmadis at Allama Iqbal Road in Garhi Shahu area, near Lahore Railway Station.

In Model Town, four gunmen opened fire on security and police guards, then on worshippers. At least 19 people were killed before police managed to regain control, DCO Lahore Sajjad Bhutta told reporters at the scene.

In Garhi Shahu, the terrorists besieged the worship place, taking hundreds of people hostage. A four-hour clash ensued as police exchanged gunfire with fighters stationed inside and on the rooftop. The gunmen took the worshippers hostage, making it difficult for the police as the well-trained personnel of Quick Response Force (QRF) tried to rescue them, eyewitness said. The terrorists took control of the worship places and hurled hand grenades as police engaged in a fierce gunfight with them.

“The death toll could rise as several injured were under intensive care in the emergency wards of the public hospitals. The doctors are also conducting surgery of those critically wounded during the attacks,” hospital sources said.

The police also recovered suicide jackets, rifles and other ammunition from both the worship places.

Lahore chief of Tehreek-e-Ahmadia Pakistan and retired Sessions Judge Sheikh Munir, Lt-Gen (r) Nasir and a cameraman of a local TV channel identified as Ejazul Haq were also among the dead. 

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