Pakistan: Group of dacoits attacks Hindu temple

The assailants attacked a place of worship and adjoining homes belonging to the community in the jurisdiction of Ghouspur police station. They fired indiscriminately, prompting a police unit led by Kashmore-Kandhkot SSP Irfan Sammo to reach the scene,  Dawn News reported.

The police official told Dawn News that the dacoits fired “rocket launchers” at the place of worship, which was closed during the attack.

He added that it opens annually for religious services conducted by the Bagri community.

“The suspects fled from the scene after the attack. Police are conducting a search operation in the area,” he said.

SSP Sammo estimated that there were eight to nine gunmen, whom they were tracking in the riverine areas.

Suresh, a member of the Bagri community, told Dawn News that the “rocket launchers” fired by the dacoits failed to explode, resulting in no loss of life.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) condemned the incident and tweeted: "HRCP is alarmed by reports of deteriorating law and order in the districts of Kashmore and Ghotki in Sindh, where some 30 members of the Hindu community - including women and children - have allegedly been held hostage by organised criminal gangs."

"Moreover, we have received disturbing reports that these gangs have threatened to attack the community's sites of worship, using high-grade weapons. The Sindh Home Department must investigate this matter immediately and take steps to protect all vulnerable citizens in these areas," the group said.