14 arrested in Pakistan in overnight raids after Hindu Temple demolition

Karachi, Dec 31: The Pakistan police has arrested 14 people in overnight raids after a Hindu Temple was set ablaze and demolished by a mob, which was led by supporters of a radical Islamist party.

There was widespread condemnation after the Temple was desecrated in the northwestern town of Karak in Pakistan.

The local police said that they have detained at least 14 people in overnight raids. More raids were underway to arrest those who took part in the incident.

A Hindu temple was vandalised by an angry mob in northwest Pakistan on Wednesday, police said.

The incident took place in Terri village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Karak district, District Police Officer Irfan Marwat told reporters.

According to Marwat, protesting the expansion work of the temple, the mob demolished the newly constructed work alongside the old structure.

Pakistan's federal Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights Lal Chand Malhi strongly condemned the vandalisation of the temple by "some anti-social elements".

Noting that some groups are active in carrying out such anti-social activities to defame Pakistan, Malhi said the government will not tolerate such incidents.

Malhi said he has asked the district administration to file an FIR in the case and take legal action against the culprits.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan termed the attack on the temple as "an unfortunate incident."

He has sought an early report from the police on the matter and ordered immediate arrest of those involved in the incident.

Khan vowed that his government will protect worship places from such incidents.

Leader of Hindu Community Peshawar Haroon Sarab Diyal said that a samadhi of a Hindu religious leader exists at the temple site and Hindu families from across the country do visit the samadhi on every Thursday.

He said the incident has hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community and the Islamic Ideology Council should take note of it.

Diyal said Prime Minister Imran Khan talks about promotion of religious tourism in Pakistan but minority worship places were not safe in his own country.

Hindus form the biggest minority community in Pakistan.

According to official estimates, 75 lakh Hindus live in Pakistan. However, according to the community, over 90 lakh Hindus are living in the country.

The majority of Pakistan's Hindu population is settled in Sindh province where they share culture, traditions and language with Muslim residents. They often complain of harassment by the extremists.