In Punjab province, Pakistan, a disturbing video has surfaced showing a lone gunman attacking the Bait-ul-Mahdi, an Ahmadi place of worship in Chenab Nagar (Rabwah), the headquarters of the Ahmadiyya community. Reports confirmed that six members of the Ahmadi community sustained injuries during the incident.
The harrowing video, verified by local authorities, captures the attacker approaching the compound gate armed with a pistol, firing multiple shots at volunteer guards stationed outside. Chaos erupts as worshippers inside seek shelter during Friday prayers.
Shortly after, one of the guards, not visible in the video, retaliates and shoots the assailant. The attacker drops his weapons, attempts to retrieve them, fails, and collapses to the ground.
Pakistan’s Punjab Police stated that the assailant was neutralized on-site by volunteers returning fire, preventing him from entering the mosque. An officer mentioned, “Upon reaching the main gate, the gunman opened fire on the Ahmadi volunteer guards on duty. One of the guards eliminated the attacker.”
Authorities cordoned off the area and initiated an inquiry to ascertain if the shooter had connections to any extremist organization. While no group has claimed responsibility yet, entities like Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) have targeted Ahmadi worship places in the past.
‘Aamir Mahmood, the spokesperson for Jamaat Ahmadiyya Pakistan, denounced the attack, attributing it to hate campaigns and provocative speeches that fuel such violent acts. Mahmood stressed the urgent need to halt the hate campaign against Ahmadis and bring its instigators to justice promptly.
Ahmadis, who self-identify as Muslims, were stripped of their Muslim status by Pakistan’s Parliament in 1974. Subsequent laws prohibited them from practicing Islamic rituals or identifying as Muslims, including displaying Quranic verses in their mosques.
The recent attack in Rabwah, captured on camera and currently under investigation, has reignited discussions on Pakistan’s treatment of religious minorities and prompted renewed calls for international attention to address the deteriorating situation faced by the Ahmadi community.