Muslims burn Christians alive in Pakistani city after rumour about a defaced Koran sparked riots

Devastated: A victim's family mourn over their loved one's casket

Eight Christians have died in Muslim-read riots after a false rumour spread that a Koran had been defaced in an eastern Pakistani city.

Hundreds of Muslims torched and looted Christian homes in Gorja.

Following the rampage it was reported a man, a woman and four children were burned to death, and two other men were shot dead.

It was not clear if those burned alive were a family killed in a single incident.

Officials said the riots had been instigated by members of a banned extremist Muslim organization.

Paramilitary troops were sent to the city to help police stop the violence from escalating further.

However, Interior Minister Rehman Malik has argued that this is a one-off incident and not indicative of relations between to two religious groups.

He said: "Usually, Muslims and Christians live together peacefully. There have been some miscreants involved in this incident. We are investigating that."

Control: Paramilitary troops were summoned to support police and regain control of Gorja

Grief: Citizens of Gorja mourned openly as the victims' coffins were carried through the streets

Christians make up a tiny minority of Pakistan's predominantly Sunni Muslim population, accounting for roughly four percent of the 170 million population.

Although the two communities generally live peacefully, Muslim radicals have periodically targeted churches and Christians.

Minorities also face intimidation at the hands of discriminatory laws, including one that carries the death penalty for using derogatory language against Islam, the Koran and the Prophet Mohammad.

Plea for peace: Christian women in Lahore are praying for the victims following the Muslim rampage

The law is often misused to settle personal scores and rivalries.

Sohail Iqbal, a cell phone shop owner in the city's main market, said that there was a heavy police presence in the area.

"We have opened our shop and others too, but the atmosphere is grim and tense," he said.

Backlash: Christians in Karachi have been protesting against the attacks

Daily Mail