Pakistani Christian community attacked after blasphemy accusation – police

A Muslim crowd attacked a Christian community in eastern Pakistan on Wednesday and set scores of houses on fire, accusing its members of desecrating the Koran, police and community leaders said.
Police spokesman Naveed Ahmad said, the incident took place in Jaranwala town of industrial city of Faisalabad. He said, a violent crowd had attacked the community after two Christians were accused of blasphemy.
Police were trying to calm the situation down but local residents said it seemed to be worsening. The crowd had grown in number, with dozens of people blocking a nearby highway.
A Christian leader, Akmal Bhatti, said the crowd had torched at least five churches and looted valuables from houses that had been abandoned by their owners after clerics made announcements in mosques inciting the mob.
Police spokesman Ahmad gave no details on the violence and did not confirm if any churches had been burnt.
Several social media posts, however, showed some churches on fire as well as houses and belongings.