Christian Family Hacked to Death With Axe After Church in India While Police Bury the Truth

Christian Family of Three Hacked to Death With Axe After Attending Church in India

A Christian family of three was brutally murdered with an axe in Nialijharan village, Keonjhar District, Odisha, India on January 25, 2026, shortly after returning home from a Pentecostal prayer service.

The victims, Jitendra Soren (35), his wife Malati Soren (32), and their 15 year old daughter Sasmita Soren, were attacked by three relatives who accused the family of practicing "black magic" through their Christian faith. The family had converted to Christianity less than a year ago.

According to surviving son Suguda Soren, 18, the family had faced escalating hostility from extended family members and villagers since embracing Christianity. Relatives blamed the family's conversion for causing illness in a young niece, claiming their church attendance had cursed the community.

They cried out for help on the village street, but no one came to rescue them.

Suguda Soren, surviving son

When the attackers arrived at the family's home, they confronted Jitendra about the accusations. When their 15 year old daughter intervened to protect her father, she was struck with an axe and killed. Malati was murdered while trying to save her daughter, and Jitendra was killed while attempting to flee.

The family's youngest daughter, Rani Soren, 12, witnessed the entire attack but managed to escape. She is now in hiding with a Christian family.

Three suspects were arrested: Baidyanath Soren (50), Jitendra's older brother; Sudam Soren (24), Baidyanath's son; and Laxman Soren (36), Jitendra's younger brother. Despite clear evidence of religious motivation, police filed a First Information Report that omitted the anti Christian motive entirely, instead characterizing the massacre as a "land dispute."

Police Cover Up Religious Motive Behind Triple Murder of Indian Christian Family

Suguda Soren submitted an application requesting the case be transferred to an independent agency for a fair investigation. He stated that the FIR projected the crime primarily as a property dispute, which does not reflect the full background of the incident.

CSW's Founder President declared that dismissing this killing as a land dispute constitutes "a profound injustice to the survivors." The attack reflects a broader pattern of anti Christian violence in Odisha's tribal areas, particularly Keonjhar District, which has a documented history of persecution.

Jitendra Soren had first come to faith after a prolonged illness. A friend connected him with a pastor who prayed for him over the phone. After experiencing healing, the entire family began attending church regularly.

Jitendra called me and asked for prayers. I prayed for him over the phone and he felt much better.

Anonymous pastor who ministered to the Soren family

Notably, Jitendra and Malati had recently visited Manoharpur to observe the death anniversary of Graham Staines and his two sons, Australian missionaries who were burned alive in their vehicle by Hindu extremists in the same state of Odisha in 1999.

The Crusader's Opinion

A father, a mother, and their 15 year old daughter. Hacked to death with an axe by their own family members for the crime of going to church. And the police called it a "land dispute."

Let that sink in. Three people are dead because they chose to follow Jesus Christ, and the authorities cannot even bring themselves to acknowledge why it happened. This is not an isolated incident. This is the systematic erasure of Christian persecution from the record books. If three Muslims had been butchered by Hindu relatives in Odisha, every international news outlet would have the story on the front page within hours. But Christians? Silence.

The blood of the Soren family cries out from the ground. Their 12 year old daughter watched her parents and sister get murdered and had to flee for her life. She is in hiding. In hiding. For being Christian. In 2026.

We will not be silent when the world refuses to speak.

Take Action

• Pray for surviving children Suguda (18), Rani (12), and Pana (21) who lost their parents and sister to religious violence.
• Donate to The Shepherd's Shield to support persecuted Christian families worldwide.
• Support Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) in their advocacy for the Soren family and other persecuted believers in India.
• Contact the Indian Embassy in your country and demand an independent investigation into the religious motive behind the Soren family murders. Find your nearest embassy at mea.gov.in.
• Share this story on social media. The world needs to know what is happening to Christians in India.
• Support Open Doors and Voice of the Martyrs in their work documenting and responding to anti Christian violence globally.