Troops deployed as riots toll rises to eight: official

ISLAMABAD :Paramilitary soldiers were Sunday patrolling a remote town as the death toll from riots between two group rose to eight, officials said.

An angry mob attacked a residential area of the minority community on Saturday, torching 40 houses and a church in Gojra district, about 160 kilometres (99 miles) west of Lahore.

The violence broke out over the alleged desecration of a Quran.

Six people were killed in the rioting while the charred body of another Christian was found overnight, officials said.

"A total of seven Christians were killed and 14 injured," local administration chief Tahir Hussain told reporters.

Authorities deployed paramilitary rangers in the area and arrested 12 suspects, he said, adding that three were from a banned sectarian group.

Provincial law minister, Rana Sanaullah, who visited the violence-hit town Sunday, promised to pay compensation to the affected families.

"We have identified those who attacked, they are terrorists, these people want to destabilise our country," he told reporters.

"We will give compensation to the victims, we will pay them for all the losses they suffered," Sanaullah said.

Earlier, more than 1,000 Christians staged demonstrations in Gojra and demanded the arrest of those involved in the attack.

"People were very angry, they have said they will not bury their dead until the government assured the attackers would be arrested," Father Shabbir Masih said.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has ordered an inquiry into the alleged desecration of the Quran, officials said, adding that he has appealed to the residents of the area "to remain calm and demonstrate restraint till the inquiry is finalized."