Two Sikh bizmen killed in Pakistan

India protests; PM Shehbaz condemns incident

The Indian government on Sunday registered a strong protest with Pakistan over the killing of two Sikh traders in Peshawar and urged the Pakistan government to “sincerely” investigate the matter and take strict action against all those responsible.

Two people belonging to the Sikh community were shot dead on Sunday by unidentified gunmen in Peshawar’s Sarband area, a suburban locality situated in Pakistan’s restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region.

The two men killed were shopkeepers who sold spices at Bata Tal bazaar in Sarband, the Peshawar police said. The victims, identified as Saljeet Singh, 42, and Ranjeet Singh, 38, died on the spot.

“We have seen the reports on the brutal killing of two Sikh traders by unidentified armed men in Peshawar. Sadly, this is not the first such case or a rare occurrence. Grave concerns have been expressed by Indian civil society and the Sikh community at this shocking, deplorable incident,” external affairs ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, condemning the incident, asked Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Mahmood Khan to ensure the immediate arrest and punishment of the culprits.

“We have registered our strong protest with the Government of Pakistan on continued targeting of members of the minority community in Pakistan. We call upon the authorities concerned to sincerely investigate the matter and take strict action against those responsible for this deplorable incident. We expect that the Government of Pakistan, in discharge of its responsibilities, will look after the safety, security and well-being of its minority communities,” he added

The Peshawar police said the two men had been attacked by two bike-borne assailants on Sunday morning, and they fled after carrying out the attack. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the killing.

The local superintendent of police, Aqiq Hussain, told Geo News that the counterterrorism department had registered a case. “The incident appears to be a terrorist attack. The CCTV footage will be acquired and the suspects will be arrested soon,” he said.

Interior minister Rana Sanaullah criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for the attack and sought a report from the provincial chief secretary and inspector-general of police. “The KP government has terribly failed at protecting the minorities,” Mr Sanaullah said.