Pakistan police say 87 Christian homes, 19 churches damaged in blasphemy riot

Hundreds of Pakistan's Christian minority fled their homes Wednesday when an angry crowd of Muslim men tore through a neighbourhood in the city of Jaranwala in Punjab province, torching homes and churches.

"The events that unfolded were tragic. Violence like this can never be justified," Punjab police chief Usman Anwar told AFP.

Anwar said he personally interrogated the two Christian brothers accused of desecrating the Koran "to avoid accusations of torture".