Tombstones Desecrated At Ahmadiyya Cemetery In Kotli

Ahmadiyya community says the situation in recent days has been 'extremely hostile' and warns it could go past the point of return

Tombstones Desecrated At Ahmadiyya Cemetery In Kotli

At least eight tombstones have been desecrated at an Ahmadiyya Cemetery in Kotli District of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. On Saturday, the community said the tombstones were partially or completely destroyed.

The community said that the incident took place at the designated Ahmadiyya Cemetery in the Barmoj Goi area of Kotli, Azad Jammu, and Kashmir, between the nights of March 7 and 8.

The community said that at least eight tombstones were partially or completely damaged.

In a statement, the community said that incidents targetting the community have witnessed a vicious resurgence.

"The hateful activities are reaching heights that will inevitably be beyond repair," a community spokesperson warned.

The situation, the spokesperson said, has become extremely hostile in recent months as the official pointed to an attack on an Ahmadiyya worship place in Kotli where minarets erected on its roof were damaged. 

The Ahmadiyya community urged the authorities to take steps and devise concrete plans to stop hostile elements from carrying out activities against the peaceful Ahmadiyya Community so that the Ahmadis can live their lives in safety and peace throughout Pakistan.

The incident comes a week after a local leader of the Ahmadiyya Community was gunned down in Bahawalpur in a targeted attack.