A 42-year-old Catholic was killed, and a teenager was injured when gunmen opened fire on a van carrying 18 pilgrims to Pakistan’s largest Marian shrine near Lahore on Sunday. Source: UCA News.
Afzal Masih, a father of four, was shot in the neck and died on the way to the hospital, according to police. A 16-year-old teenager was also hurt.
The pilgrims were heading toward the popular shrine in Mariamabad village to participate in the feast of the Nativity of Mary, which Catholics across the world celebrated yesterday.
The pilgrims were attacked in Sheikhupura, about 30 kilometres from the shrine’s location, in Punjab province.
Aurangzeb Mehmood, Mr Masih’s relative who filed the police complaint, said the van was attacked after motorcyclists blocked the road.
“Masih objected, so they pulled him out of the vehicle before shooting him,” Mr Mehmood said.
Police said Masih was a victim of a teen gang war and are searching for the suspected killer, Muhammad Waqas.
“Waqas is a drug addict who targeted a rival gang. The Catholic was caught in the crossfire,” the officer said.
Hundreds of Catholics attended the funeral for Masih on Sunday in his hometown of Lahore. It coincided with the end of the September 5-8 annual Marian festival in Mariamabad.
About half a million people attended the event this year amid tight security of 2600 police and 600 volunteers, according to the pilgrimage committee.
Fr Abid Albert, who is responsible for pilgrimage security, called the attack “heartbreaking” and asked people to stay calm.
“Police deployed snipers and patrolled routes to the shrine. Sadly, it could not prevent the loss of life,” the priest said.
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Pilgrim shot dead on way to Pakistan’s Marian shrine (UCA News)Â
