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Hindu extremists are accused of murdering a pastor in Assam – just days before the he was due to finish building a new church for his congregation.

Pastor Ajit Bansi, a missionary for Gospel For Asia, was ambushed by gunmen as he went to buy materials for the final stage of his construction project. His three companions were also shot dead on May 20.

Pastor Ajit served a church of about 60 Christians and leaves behind a wife and two small children.

'[He] was one of hundreds of missionaries risking their lives to share Jesus' love in this area,' said a spokesman for Gospel For Asia. 'It is extremely sad that this pastor never saw his dream fulfilled.'

Pastor Ajit's death is just one of a litany of attacks against the church in India last month, according to Compass Direct news agency's monthly digest of 'incidents of persecution' in the country.

In Uttar Pradesh, for example, about 40 Bajrang Dal extremists raided a church in Kanpur recently, accusing Pastor Dalayu Sonam of 'forcible conversion'. They beat the pastor, accused his wife of running a brothel and threatened to kill their baby son.

(Sources: Compass Direct, Evangelical Fellowship of India, International Christian Concern, The Christian Post)

• Pray God's comfort and peace over Pastor Ajit's family, his congregation and other missionaries in Assam. Ask God to protect Pastor Dalayu and his family.
• Pray that incidents such as Pastor Ajit's death will only strengthen the church's resolve to see God's Kingdom come in India.

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