4th LD: Death toll in E. Pakistan's church suicide bombings rises to 14

At least 14 people were killed and 78 others wounded when two suicide bombers blew themselves up at the entrance of churches in Pakistan's east city of Lahore on Sunday, hospital sources said.

An official of the Medical Superintendent General Hospital, where the wounded were being treated, said they received 78 injured people, while 14 bodies were in the mortuary.

The death toll could rise as at least 10 others among the injured people were in critical condition, he said.

Deputy Inspector General Police, Haider Ashraf, told reporters that two suicide bombers blew themselves up at the main gate of Roman Catholic Church and Christ Church, located within a distance of one kilometer in Youhanabad area of Lahore, the capital city of the country's east Punjab province.

The attackers wanted to enter the churches but detonated their explosive vests after being stopped by the policemen at the gate, killing 14 people, including two policemen and a child.

Witnesses said unidentified gunmen opened fire at the churches and fled the scene before the explosions.

Police arrested two suspects, including one who was allegedly giving instructions to the suicide bombers.

Enraged Christians, who were praying inside a church, took the suspects from police custody, beat both of them to death and burnt their bodies.

Angry protesters also took to streets in the city and blocked roads to protest against the attacks.

Jammatul Ahrar, a splinter group of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying Christian were their enemies.

The group's spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan also threatened to launch more attacks.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack and asked authorities to beef up the security of churches, mosques and other worship places across the country.

The Pakistan Christian Community announced a three-day mourning for the victims.

Chief Minister of Punjab province Shahbaz Sharif ordered hospitals to provide best possible medical treatment to the wounded.

Bishop of Pakistan Sadiq Daniel, who also condemned the bloody attacks, asked all missionary schools to remain closed on Monday. Endi