On Sunday, July 29th, around 11:30AM believers were gathered for Sunday worship in a church located in Sagar Taluk, Shimoga District, Karnataka India, when 15 Bajrang Dal activists from a radical Hindu group came into the church. They started abusing the Christians with foul language and then mercilessly beat and stab the believers with cricket bats and knives.

In addition to physically harming the believers, the radical Hindu group also destroyed the pulpit, window pains, all the furniture and even the walls of the church. They also broke the doors of the church and completely destroyed a vehicle parked outside.

After the persecutors left, the believers were taken to the Sagar Government Hospital where their wounds were treated. Among the injured was Pastor Thankan, who was beaten with a cricket bat leaving his arms, legs and body swollen; 18 year old Santolin, had a deep cut from a knife on his head that required 10 stitches; 36 year old Francis D’souza, was cut on his shoulder; 46 year old Assistant Pastor Dennis, was beaten with wooden clubs leaving his hand and shoulder swollen; 26 year old Francis Fernandes, was sliced on his left shoulder leaving a deep wound; 50 year old Sr. Manjula, was beaten on her head and ears, causing her ears to bleed.

Pastor Thankan filled for police protection, but district administration is intimated by the radical group as they are part of the State Government. Please pray for the victims and believers in Sagar Taluk and that the Lord would provide the money for their medical treatment and damages.