Police in Pakistan have arrested over 100 people who attacked 21 churches in the country on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, the Christian Post reports.

Several churches were severely damaged by fire.

The attacks took place in a Christian enclave located in the city of Jaranwala after rumors circulated that two Christian men had burnt pages from the Quran, Islam’s holy book.

In addition to vandalizing and setting fire to churches, the mob of protestors numbering in the thousands also vandalized the homes of Christians in the city.

In an interview with the AFP news agency, Yassir Bhatti, a 31-year-old Christian, described one attack:

“They broke the windows, doors and took out fridges, sofas, chairs and other household items to pile them up in front of the Church to be burnt. They also burnt and desecrated Bibles, they were ruthless.“

Christian leaders are publicly condemning the police actions after videos surfaced of police standing by and doing nothing as mobs attacked churches and homes.

In addition to arresting 128 people for vandalism, police have also arrested two Christian men, Rocky Masih and Raja Masih. They have been accused of blasphemy for burning pages from the Quran. Blasphemy is punishable by death in Pakistan.

The country’s blasphemy laws are often used to falsely accuse Christians who are involved in disputes (legal or otherwise) with Muslims in the country. One of the bizarre features of the country’s legal system is that those accusing Christians of blasphemy can not repeat what was said in court, or they would be accused of blasphemy as well.

Pakistan has a population of 241 million and nearly 97% are Muslim. Only 1.27% of Pakistan’s population is Christian with most found in northeastern Pakistan that includes Jaranwala and Lahore.

READ: Over 100 arrested after churches burned in Pakistan over blasphemy allegations AND Pakistan: More than 100 arrested after churches burned