Twin bombings at churches kill 14 in Pakistan

Two bomb blasts have killed at least 14 people near two churches in a Christian neighbourhood in the Pakistani city of Lahore, local officials say.

More than 70 people were hurt in the explosions which targeted worshippers attending Sunday services at the churches in the Youhanabad area.

Violent protests erupted after the blasts, with a mob killing two men accused of involvement in the attacks. Pakistan's Christian community has often been targeted by militants.

An offshoot of the Pakistan Taliban, calling itself Jamatul Ahrar, has said it carried out the attack. Witnesses say suicide bombers were responsible for the explosions but police have not confirmed this.

The bombers are said to have detonated their explosives near the gates of St John's Catholic Church and Christ Church.

Many Christians, who make up less than two percent of Pakistan's population of more than 180 million, accuse the government of doing little to protect them, saying politicians are quick to offer condolences after an attack but slow to act to improve security.