Pak police action on temple vandalism and arson, arrest of 26 fundamentalists

Islamabad, Thursday 31 December 2020

Police in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have arrested 26 people in connection with the burning and demolition of a Hindu temple led by a cleric by extremists from a radical Islamic party, police said in an overnight raid.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of Pakistan will hear the case on January 5 after taking cognizance of it. On the other hand, the Hindu community of Pakistan has condemned the incident and demanded strict action.

The incident in Karak district was condemned by human rights activists and Pakistan's Human Rights Minister Shirin Mazari, who condemned the temple fire by tweeting, and appealed to the police to arrest those responsible for the incident.

District police chief Irfan Ullah said police raided the temple and detained several people in the case and eyewitnesses said a mob led by local leaders and activists of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam attacked the temple, local Hindus approached local officials to repair the temple. The attack was carried out after approval was obtained.