Sikh community head shot dead in Afghanistan

The head of the Sikh community in Afghanistan’s restive Kunduz city was shot dead by unknown gunmen on Thursday, the second such incident within three months, triggering fear among the minority group members in the country.

Lala Del Souz, a naturopath, was gunned down at about 9am in the Haji Gulistan Kochi Haman area of the city, Tolo News reported. He was reportedly on his way to his shop when the shooting occurred. He died from his injuries while being taken to hospital, the report said. According to relatives of the deceased, he had been shot five years ago but survived the attack. Kunduz security chief Masoum Stanikzai confirmed the incident and said police have arrested three suspects.

“Investigations will however continue,” he said.

Del Souz’s uncle, Prem, said the deceased had been wellliked and had no enemies.

The shooting, meanwhile, sparked an outcry on social media with hundreds of people condemning the incident and sending condolences to his family. Prem called on government to thoroughly investigate the incident and make sure those responsible are brought to justice.

Following the collapse of Kunduz city to Taliban militants, many Sikhs left the province. Currently only three families are still there, the report said. Sikhs have lived in Kunduz for over thirty years and at one time there were as many as 40 families in the area.

After the collapse of Kunduz city last year, Del Souz apparently moved his family to India. He stayed on in Kunduz and lived with his uncle.

Close to 99 per cent of Hindu and Sikh in Afghanistan have left the country over the past three decades.