Three Islamic militant attacks a Christian home in Murree

Murree: October 06, 2009, (PCTV Newsdesk)

Three Islamic militant attacks a Christian home in Murree but due to the noise and shout their mission failed and victims remained safe.

Rafiq Masih Bhatti along with his family was living peacefully among the Muslims of Murree city since ages. Their home is the only Christian home among numerous mosques and Islamic workers surrounded in the concentrated residential area of Murree. Mr. Bhatti told that from the last few months the whole family especially their son Farrukh Sharon Bhatti is under severe threat either to convert to Islam or leave the place otherwise be killed. He told that they have been receiving threatening calls and a letter was also received in August 2009 mentioning two Quranic verses about imposing Jihad on them. He told that after that they keep their home locked from outside to show that no one is living in their home, but still extremists keep a quiet eye on them. He told that Special Branch of Police and Military Intelligence Officers were requested to look into the matter and are still investigating the case since the last few months. Despite this, the attack occurred on the midnight of 28th September 2009 when three bearded armed men attacked their home and tried to break the main gate but due to the shortage of time, shouts and panic they had to run back, so they escaped using a Toyota Hilux pick-up. While running away they kept on having argument with Mr. Bhatti saying that the spies of USA and Europe who are the enemies of Islam would be finished soon through Jihad. During investigation the neighboring shopkeeper told that he had been witnessing strangers for the past few months inquiring about this Christian family from the adjacent neighbours about the links of this family with USA, Europe or any other countries. While speaking to our representative, Mr. Bhatti also told that in the letter and others the extremists claimed their son (Dr. Farrukh Sharon Bhatti) being an active member of local Church and other religious organizations, a spy of USA and its partner countries which have imposed war on terror in the Islamic states to finish Islam but they will not let this agenda be fulfilled and they will impose Islam in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan through Jihad by finishing Christians and foreigners from Pakistan because the Churches and missionary projects are headquarters of USA and other countries which are working to finish Islam from Pakistan and the Christian people are their agents and spies in Pakistan.

In reply to a question, Mr. Bhatti told his despondency about attitude of the Church, Social and Political organizations by stating that in 2003 their home was burnt and was turned into ashes but it is on record that any church, political or social organization, neither took notice of that incident nor provided any kind of help or support in this regard. He also showed his grief for the persecuted Pakistani Christians and condemned such attacks by showing deep concern about the rapid increase of such incidents in whole of the country.  

The City Police Murree has registered the case and investigations have been started in this regard.