In July 2014, a member of Pakistan’s Ahmadi religious minority -- who consider themselves Muslims but are not considered so by the Pakistani government -- reportedly shared a photo on Facebook deemed by many Muslims in his local city of Gujranwala to be blasphemous. Apparently, it depicted the Kaaba along with a naked person. Mobs formed in response.

One crowd, reportedly comprising hundreds of people, gathered outside a police station demanding the registration of a blasphemy case to deal with the matter. Another, estimated by various sources as anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 people, entered an Ahmadi neighborhood to exact vengeance. They burned residents’ homes down, prompting most of them to flee in order to avoid further threats to their lives and livelihoods.

“Police were there but just watching the burning. They didn't do anything to stop the mob. First they looted their homes and shops and then they burnt the homes.” - Salim Uddin, “spokesperson” for Pakistan’s Ahmadi community

In the midst of this violence, some lives were tragically claimed: 55-year-old Bushra Bibi burned alive, along with her granddaughters, 7-year-old Kainat and 8-month-old Hira. A pregnant woman also reportedly miscarried as a result of violence the mob inflicted on her.

By several accounts, police did not intervene but only watched as the violence and vandalism took place. By one account, police actually instructed ambulances and fire vehicles to turn around, preventing help from reaching the victims.