Lahore police on Friday reportedly foiled a mob attack on a worship place of the Ahmadi community in the city's Samanabad.

 

A strong contingent of force from several police stations reportedly responded to the emergency 15 call from the community when local residents were about to advance towards the Ahmadi worship place.

 

“Six SHOs, a DSP, a divisional SP and an SSP rushed to the site along with armed policemen on the direction of Lahore Operations DIG Faisal Kamran to rescue members of the Ahmadi community at any cost,” Dawn News quoted a police officer as saying, adding that women and children were also among the worshippers.

 

As the mob reportedly attempted to siege the worship place, the police launched a major operation, rescuing women, children and other worshippers, shifting them to a secured area and increased security of the worship place. Police high-ups also engaged known local figures, including religious leaders, to maintain peace.

 

Dawn News quoted an Ahmadi worshipper as reporting that his community had built a worship place on Poonch Road and got it registered with the relevant government department, adding that during prayers, they [Ahmadi] heard some slogans outside, which frightened the community.

 

“I also rushed out of the worship place using the back door, left my motorbike unattended and ran to avoid a possible attack,” the Ahmadi worshipper added.

 

He further said that he witnessed many charged people gathering on the road, calling people to reach the site hurriedly, adding they seemed to be members of a religious party hurling serious threats and demanding closure of the Ahmadi worship place.

 

Moreover, the worshipper said that the protesters had accused the Ahmadi community of violating the time schedule of worship on Friday. However, dismissing the charge, he said that they were following the given schedule.

 

Citing DIG operations, Dawn News said the police managed to thwart the possible mob attack on the Ahmadi worship place.

 

Kamran confirmed that protestors gathered outside the Ahmadi worship place were members of a religious-cum-political party pressing for a change in Ahmadi worship timing.