Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. Usman Anwar has disclosed that "hostile agencies" were connected to the Jaranwala incident, which entailed violent attacks on many homes and churches belonging to the Christian minority due to alleged blasphemy allegations.
On August 16, after clerics made statements in mosques urging the mob to attack the Christian community on the grounds of blasphemy, a crowd attacked numerous churches and set hundreds of houses on fire in Jaranwala town in the industrial area of Faisalabad.
The attack generated uproar on social media and among influential political and religious figures in the nation, who denounced the act and said that such extreme behavior had no place in society.
While speaking at a press conference in Lahore, IG Anwar said that the Jaranwala incident is linked to hostile agencies. About 180 other people have also been detained in addition to the three major suspects, he added.
He said that since the Jaranwala tragedy, the law has been active and that help is being provided to Christian community victims while the destroyed churches are being rebuilt.
"As we've already stated, there are attempts being made to divide Muslims and Christians. The incident in Sargodha served as the catalyst for the plot, he added.
IG Anwar said that the police had detained three individuals in connection with the Sargodha incident involving the desecration of the Holy Quran.
"We have dismantled the group of individuals responsible for the Quran's destruction. We assure you that occurrences like these won't occur again," he added.
IG Anwar also urged the Muslims not to take the law into their own hands, assuring that those who facilitate the enemies will be brought to justice and no exception will be given to them.
He said, "It is the duty of the imam and muezzin of the mosque to prevent anyone from misusing the loudspeakers."