Security stepped up in Pakistan after ISIS targets church, kills 9

18 Dec, 2017 07:41 / Updated 6 years ago

Security forces were on high alert across Pakistan on Monday, following a suicide attack by Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) that targeted a church and killed nine people, AP reports. The assault on Sunday in Quetta, the capital of southwestern Baluchistan province, also wounded up to 60 worshippers, officials said. It was the first attack on a church claimed by the IS affiliate in Pakistan. Around 400 worshippers were attending the service when two bombers carrying assault rifles stormed the church. In an ensuing gun battle, one assailant was killed by police guards. The other reportedly opened fire at worshippers and detonated his explosives vest.