Hindu temple attacked, set on fire in Pakistan

A Hindu temple has been desecrated and set on fire by unidentified persons in Pakistan's southern Sindh province, two weeks ahead of an annual fair at the holy site.

The caretaker of the temple of Hindu deity Hanuman, in Latifabad town told police that three men came on Friday to offer prayers. "But after offering prayers they first broke a statue of Hanuman and then sprayed kerosene oil and set it on fire," said a police official.

Darshan, the interim caretaker of the temple, said the attackers ran away when he called for help. The miscreants had covered their faces, thus could not be identified, he added.

The attack came weeks ahead of the April 14 fair organised at the temple every year.

Around 500-600 scheduled caste Hindu families inhabit the locality the temple is situated in. They staged protests at several places in the city.

The initial investigations suggest the attack is not related to any communal strife. The local deputy superintendent of police (DSP) and station house officer (SHO) have been suspended and an FIR has been lodged against three unidentified attackers, said DIG Sanaullah Abbassi.

On March 15, a frenzied mob had set on fire a temple and a 'Dharamshala' in Larkana over alleged desecration of a holy book, prompting authorities to impose a curfew in the area.

Hindus are the largest minority in Pakistan but make up only about 2% of the country's 180 million population.

Most Hindus live in Sindh province, where there have been several instances of alleged abduction and forced conversion of women from the minority community.