Pakistan: Police use tear gas to break up Lahore suicide bomb protests

Pakistani police broke up Christian protesters in the eastern city of Lahore with tear gas and baton charges on 16 March, 2015, a day after suicide bombers killed at least 16 people outside two churches.

The protesters, angry at the lack of security for Christians in the majority-Muslim country, blocked a major highway in the city. But a hit-and-run by a car, which injured four protesters, provoked the crowd, some of whom started throwing stones at cars and private property.

Sunday's attacks were claimed by a faction of the Pakistani Taliban. They occurred minutes apart in a majority-Christian suburb of Lahore. Police said they targeted two churches, one Catholic and one Protestant.

Islamist militants in Pakistan have attacked Christians and other religious minorities often over the past decade. Many Christians accuse the government of doing little to protect them, saying politicians are quick to offer condolences after an attack but slow to take any concrete steps to improve security.

Following the blasts, enraged residents beat and burned to death two men they suspected of involvement, a police official said. Protesters also began smashing up shops and attacking vehicles.