Pakistani Christians who were conducting an Easter programme at a park in Lahore city were brutally attacked by Taliban splinter group, killing over 70 people, including children and injuring over 340 people.
Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a splinter group of Taliban has claimed responsibility and said it had targeted Christians celebrating Easter.
Pakistani President has condemned the attack; meanwhile the regional government has announced three days of mourning.
Officials said they are investigating the claim made by the group in the attack where at least 340 people were injured.
A huge explosion ripped through a crowd of Christians celebrating Easter at Gulshan Iqbal Park in Lahore, a city in the eastern part of the country, with many families attending the celebration. Many women and children were among the victims.
Ehsanullah Ehsan who used to be the spokeperson for the Taliban group before he joined the splinter group said such attacks would continue.
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has strongly condemened the attack on the Christians.
Prime Minister Modi too has strongly condemned the terror attack on innocent Christians celebrating Easter.
"Coward terrorists had targeted females and kids which was highly condemnable and regrettable," he said.
This is not the first time for Christians in Pakistan to experience such attacks. Pakistani Christians had witnessed much violence because of their faith.
In March 2015, suicide bombers attacked Christians in the same city, at least 14 people lost their lives and wounded several others in the two blasts. At that time the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack and warned more attacks.
Earlier in 2014, suicide bombers targeted a church killing more than 80 people in the city of Peshawar outraging the Christians around the world.
