By Aamir Latif

KARACHI (AA): At least five people have been killed and dozens are feared injured in a blast at a church in southwestern Pakistan, followed by security forces trying to overpower heavily armed terrorists, officials and local media reported.

The blast took place at 12 noon (0700GMT), Sunday, when people were attending Sunday services at the Bethel Memorial Methodist Church on Quetta’s Zarghoon Road in Quetta, the capital of the southwestern Balochistan province.

Abdul Razzak Cheema, Balochistan’s police chief, said at least five were killed and 16 injured, including women and children.

Rehmat Baloch, Balochistan’s health minister, told reporters that four injured had been brought to the hospital.

Two suicide bombers struck during church service. There were 400 worshipers inside the church..

One of the attackers was reported to have detonated his suicide vest near the church’s main door. Another was shot dead near the church’s entrance by security forces after an intense gunfight, the police chief said.

A female eyewitness told reporters that the blast occurred when people were in services. The attack comes as Pakistan’s tiny Christian community is preparing to celebrate Christmas.

Additional report by The Muslim News