Angry Mob, Burnt and Vandalized Hindu Temple In Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Only 14 Arrested Yet.

An angry mob led by a local cleric and supporters of a radical Islamist party demolished a Hindu temple and set it on fire on Wednesday in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Karak district in Pakistan.

The incident took place in Terri village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Karak district, District Police Officer Irfan Marwat said.

The situation was brought under control only after a heavy contingent of police reached the scene and detained at least 14 people in overnight raids and more raids were underway to arrest individuals who participated or provoked the mob to demolish the temple.

The incident took place hours after a rally by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) which was held nearby wherein speakers reportedly delivered fiery speeches which charged crowd that later stormed the temple, set it ablaze and razed it to the ground.

The attack happened after members of the Hindu community received permission from the government to build and renovate the temple.

Statements From Ministers & Human Rights Secretary:

• Pakistan’s minister for religious affairs, Noorul Haq Qadri tweeted, "The attempt to damage the temple in Karak district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a conspiracy against the religious harmony of Pakistan and intolerable! Such attitudes are against the true teachings of Islam. Protecting the religious freedom of minorities is our religious, constitutional, moral and national responsibility."

Reacting to the news, JUI-F KP Amir Maulana Ataur Rahman said his party has nothing to do with the burning down of the temple as it happened after the party's rally. He said his party strongly condemned the incident.

• Pakistan's federal Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights Lal Chand Malhi strongly condemned the vandalisation of the temple by "some anti-social elements".

Noting that some groups are active in carrying out such anti-social activities to defame Pakistan, Malhi said the government will not tolerate such incidents.

Malhi said he has asked the district administration to file an FIR in the case and take legal action against the culprits.

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan termed the attack on the temple as "an unfortunate incident."

Khan vowed that his government will protect worship places from such incidents.

Leader of Hindu Community Peshawar Haroon Sarab Diyal said that a samadhi of a Hindu religious leader exists at the temple site and Hindu families from across the country do visit the samadhi on every Thursday.

He said the incident has hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community and the Islamic Ideology Council should take note of it.

Diyal said Prime Minister Imran Khan talks about promotion of religious tourism in Pakistan but minority worship places were not safe in his own country.

Hindus form the largest minority community in Pakistan.

According to official estimates, 75 lakh Hindus live in Pakistan. However, according to the community, over 90 lakh Hindus are living in the country.

The majority of Pakistan's Hindu population is settled in Sindh province where they share culture, traditions and language with Muslim residents. They often complain of harassment by the extremists.