Lahore - A mentally challenged man was stoned to death by an angry mob in Pakistan fro alleged sacrilege. The incident took place Saturday evening in Khanewal district of Punjab province. The man, Mohammad Mushtaq, was lynched and killed on claims that he had torn several pages of the religious book.

The attack unfolded after reports by some people, claiming they had witnessed Mohammad Mushtaq burning pages from the Islamic religious book. Hundreds of misinformed people then gathered inside the mosque, dragged Muhammad Mushtaq outside and assaulted him. The efforts of the police to save the man tied to a tree were obstructed by the angry mob.

Forty-one-year-old Mohammed Mushtaq pleaded his innocence; however, his voices fell on the deaf ears of the crowd. He was further battered with sticks, axes, iron rods and stones. The body of the deceased was then hung on a tree. The family testified that he had been suffering from mental disorder for the past 10-15 years.

Twelve people were detained in the lynching incident. The vile murder scenes were also circulated on social media.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered an inquiry into the incident. He also said in a statement that stern action should be taken against the culprits.

Blasphemy laws are frequently used to abuse and inflict personal resentment against minorities in Pakistan.

Mass killings in Pakistan, in the name of blasphemy are on the rise. Last December, a Sri Lankan man was beaten to death by a mob in Sialkot for blasphemy and his body was cremated in the street.

In April 2017, Mashal Khan, a university student, was murdered by an angry mob for allegedly posting blasphemous content online. In 2014, a Christian couple were lynched then burned in a kiln in Punjab in 2014 , citing blasphemy. Asia Bibi, a Christian woman, was forced to move out of Pakistan, upon being convicted of blasphemy by a Pakistani court and sentenced to death by hanging.