On Wednesday, in eastern Pakistan, a situation escalated as Muslims reacted strongly to allegations of Quran desecration by a Christian man.

The incident resulted in the destruction of the Christian man’s house, setting churches ablaze, and causing damage to multiple homes.

Police and local Christians confirmed the events, though no immediate casualties were reported, the Associated Press reported.

The turmoil unfolded in Jaranwala, situated in the Faisalabad district of Punjab province. According to reports, tensions flared when certain residents, who were Muslims, claimed to have witnessed a local Christian named Raja Amir and his companion tearing pages from a Quran.

Allegedly, they threw these pages onto the ground and made derogatory remarks on other pages.

Local police chief Rizwan Khan explained that this act deeply offended the Muslim community. Subsequently, a mob assembled and initiated attacks on several churches and numerous homes belonging to Christians.

In the course of these attacks, furniture and other household items were set ablaze. In response, some members of the Christian community fled their homes in an attempt to escape the violence.

Law enforcement authorities intervened, resorting to firing warning shots into the air and using batons to disperse the attackers.

With the assistance of Muslim clerics and elders, the situation was eventually brought under control.

Furthermore, authorities have launched raids to locate and apprehend all those responsible for the violent acts. A significant number of individuals involved in the riots have been taken into custody.

Written by staff