An Indian pastor and his son were beaten with sticks and clubs by a group of about 30 Hindu radicals in Jaida village, India, Daily Express reports.

Ramesh Vasunia, 43, and his son Rahul were returning by motorcycle from a prayer meeting when they were ambushed and viciously attacked without explanation. Pastor Ramesh told persecution watchdog International Christian Concern (ICC) about the incident, saying “I cried so much and begged them with my hands folded to spare us, as my son already slipped into unconsciousness with the bleeding injuries.”

“The attack took place at around 5:00 p.m.” Pastor Ramesh explained. “My son and I traveled about two kilometers by motorcycle from Pipplipara village after meeting at Chattar Singh’s house for prayer.”

“We did not know that a mob was waiting for us,” Pastor Ramesh continued. “We were stopped by a mob of 30 Hindu radicals. They started beating us without giving us the chance to ask the reasons for the attack. In spite of us begging them to stop, they continued to attack and damaged our motorcycle.”

“I could hear a voice from the crowd saying, ‘Kill them!’ Then I saw one person lifting a big rock to crash [on] my head and I thought to myself that they will kill us.”

It was only when a member of their congregation arrived on the scene that they were rescued and rushed to hospital.

But their ordeal was not over yet, as Pastor Ramesh suffered further abuse when he reported the crime to local police. Ramesh was threatened by a police officer when he issued the complaint, who said that he would be arrested for preaching about Jesus.

This isn’t the first time an attack has happened on the Pastor. Back on October 12, 2017, Pastor Ramesh and his church members suffered a similar attack and were jailed for six months on forced conversion charges. Pastor Ramesh later reported that they were beaten in jail and forced to complete menial tasks such as cleaning toilets.

Although India is a democratic nation, Christians across India are facing severe intolerance and discrimination. In spite of this, Pastor Ramesh has not given up hope in God and says that his faith has given him strength.

“God has been faithful all these years,” Pastor Ramesh told ICC. “He gave us the strength we needed to endure suffering and hardships for His name. Jesus suffered far beyond what we went through. We are ready to suffer and even die, but will not give up on our faith.”