2 Sikh traders shot dead in Peshawar
ISKP, AN OUTFIT AFFILIATED TO THE ISLAMIC STATE, HAS CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY
PESHAWAR: Two Sikh businessmen were shot dead by the Islamic State terrorists in northwest Pakistan on Sunday, the latest targeted attack against the minority community members in the restive province bordering Afghanistan.
Kanwaljeet Singh, 42, and Ranjeet Singh, 38, died on the spot after being attacked by two bike-borne assailants in the morning in Bata Tal bazaar of Sarband, Peshawar, the capital of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to the police. The attackers fled after carrying out the attack.
The victims were in the business of spices and had shops in the Bata Tal bazaar in Sarband, about 17 kms from Peshawar.
The Islamic State’s Khorasan unit (ISKP) claimed via its propaganda news service ‘Amaaq’ that it carried out the attack targeting two Sikhs in Peshawar. The ISKP is an affiliate of the Islamic State (IS) active in South Asia and Central Asia.
The counter-terrorism department registered a case of murder of the two Sikh men, Saddar Superintendent of Police Aqiq Hussain told Geo News.
“The incident appears to be a terrorist attack. The CCTV footage will be acquired and the suspects will be arrested soon,” he said. A large number of angry Sikh protesters blocked the Peshawar-Islamabad road in front of Qila Bala Hissar to register their protest against the killing. They were holding placards against the brutal killings and raising slogans - “Stop target killings”, “We want justice.”
India asked Pakistan to sincerely investigate the “brutal” killing of two Sikh traders and take strict action against those responsible for the “shocking” and “deplorable” incident.
THE PAK GOVT SHOULD ASCERTAIN WHICH FORCE IS BEHIND TARGETED KILLINGS OF SIKHS, SAYS JATHEDAR
The killing of two Sikh businessmen in Pakistan on Sunday drew strong condemnation in India, with Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann urging the external affairs ministry to raise with the neighbouring country the issue of the safety of minority community members living there.
“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,” the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said in response to a media query. “We have registered our strong protest with the Government of Pakistan on the 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,” the statement added.
SGPC), the apex gurdwara body, said Pakistan must ensure the security and safety of Sikhs living there. In a statement, its chief Harjinder Singh Dhami said: “We strongly condemn the cowardly murders of two Sikhs. The Pakistan government should fulfil its responsibility diligently as such murders of minorities are a matter of great concern for the entire world, especially the Sikhs.”
Taking to Twitter, former Punjab CM said: “I strongly condemn the gruesome killing of two Sikh youths in Peshawar Pakistan. I also request our Foreign Minister @DrSJaishankar ji to speak to Pakistan to raise the concern and ensure the safety of Hindu and Sikh minorities residing in Pakistan.”
“Shocked & pained to learn about the dastardly killing of two Sikh shopkeepers. I urge EAM @DrSJaishankar ji to ensure justice to the bereaved families,” said SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal in his tweet.
Akal Takht jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said: “This is unfortunate that the Sikhs are being targeted in Pakistan. Such target killings have taken place during the recent past in Peshawar and surrounding area. The Government of Pakistan should get it investigated thoroughly to ascertain which force is behind these target killings of Sikhs.”
BJP Punjab spokesman Gurdeep Singh Gosha urged Pakistan government and the provincial government of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to ensure safety of Sikh minorities in that country.