A terrorist attack on an Ahmadiyya place of worship in Rabwah has left six members of the community injured, two of them critically, in what community leaders have described as a “direct outcome of the relentless hate campaign” against Ahmadis in Pakistan. The assailant was killed on the spot in return fire from Ahmadi volunteers performing security duties.
According to initial reports, the attack occurred at approximately 1:22 p.m. at Bait-ul-Mahdi, the central place of worship of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Rabwah (Chenab Nagar). The gunman, carrying a pistol and a bag, approached the main gate and opened fire on volunteers stationed there for Friday prayers security. Two police officials were also on duty at the site when the attack took place.
The Ahmadiyya Community confirmed that six members were injured in the assault, with two in critical condition. The attacker was shot dead during the exchange of fire before he could enter the premises, where hundreds of worshippers were engaged in prayer.
Amir Mahmood, the spokesperson for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Pakistan, condemned the assault as a “heinous act of terrorism,” linking it to the sustained wave of hate speech and incitement targeting Ahmadis across the country.
“This tragic attack is the direct result of the ongoing, hate-filled campaign being waged against innocent and peaceful Ahmadis,” he said. “Written and verbal propaganda, sermons, posters, and social media content continue to incite hatred and violence against our community. Such material promotes social and economic boycotts, spreads false accusations about our beliefs, and even circulates religious edicts calling for Ahmadis to be killed.”
Mr Mahmood demanded that authorities immediately halt such hate campaigns and bring those responsible to justice. He also called for a full investigation into the facilitators and radicalisers behind the attacker, stressing that Ahmadis no longer feel safe even in Rabwah, their historic and spiritual centre.
He urged the government to act decisively to protect all citizens, regardless of faith: “To ensure peace and justice, the ongoing campaign of hate and violence against the Ahmadiyya Community must end immediately, and those responsible are held fully accountable under the law.”
The incident has once again highlighted the precarious security situation faced by the Ahmadiyya Community in Pakistan, which has long been a target of discrimination, persecution, and religiously motivated violence.