A 16-year-old boy has been left with burns covering 60 per cent of his body after an acid attack in India.

Nitish Kumar, was assaulted at 6.30am in the morning while he was on his way to the market. Nitish was carried back his home by multiple people while screaming in pain due to the severe burns all over his body.

Raja Davabi, Nitish’s sister, told International Christian Concern (ICC): “It was a horrifying scene of my brother,” said Raja, “I started yelling and crying looking at my brother. He was in terrible pain at that point and all that I could do is to share the pain by wrapping him in my hands.”

The teenager received first aid treatment at a nearby clinic before being sent to a specialised burn unit in Patna, India.

Although the motion of the attacked has not been confirmed yet, the Christian community suspects it was done by anti-Christian activists in the village as both Nitish and Raja are active members of the local church and lead daily prayer meetings.

A local pastor, who wishes to remain anonymous, told ICC: “This is very cruel of what happened to Nitish Kumar, it just terrified the Christian community in the region. There has been increased anti-Christian sentiment, and attacks against Christians in the district are increasing, and these attacks are becoming more brutal, just like what happened to Nitish Kumar.”

The family converted to Christianity in 2019 as they were delivered from an evil spirit, Bhakil Das, the victim’s father told ICC.

He said, “I don’t understand why this happened to my son and who might have done it, we didn’t do any harm to anybody in our village or anywhere else. My heart pains when I see my son.”

Christians are being encouraged to pray for Nitish Kumar’s healing.

“Please pray for Nitish Kumar, that the Lord would bring him complete healing and peace during this difficult time. Please also pray for his family, as well as for all of the families of those who have suffered acid attacks and other acts of violence.”