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Communal riots hit Pakistan: Mob targets temples, gurdwaras over alleged blasphemy

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A tense calm prevailed in some Sindh and Balochistan provinces after mobs set on fire to shops, dharamsalas and damaged some statues of Hindu deities in temples on Saturday night in protest against alleged desecration of a holy book

Karachi: An angry mob attempted to set ablaze temples and gurdwaras in a southwestern Pakistan province over alleged desecration of a holy book in Sindh, local media reported on Monday.

Security personnel in the restive Balochistan province ensured that no damage was done to religious places belonging to the two minority communities.

Protests were held across Balochistan on Sunday. The mob set afire a number of shops in Jaffarabad. A large number of people tried to attack temples and gurdwaras, Dawn daily said in a report on its website.

They also tried to enter Hindu localities, but police and security personnel foiled the attempt. Police fired in the air to stop the protesters from attacking a temple in Dera Allahyar area.

All shops, markets and commercial centres were closed in the districts of Jaffarabad, Nasirabad and Sobatpur bordering Sindh.

Security has been beefed up in and around temples and gurdwaras while police is patrolling Hindu and Sikh localities.

The mob on Sunday attacked a temple in Larkana city, the hometown of the Bhutto family and the stronghold of the Pakistan People’s Party. The Hindu man, who was accused of blasphemy, has been taken into protective custody.

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