Northlines Newsdesk
In a glaring insecure environment prevailing in Pakistan, a Sikh caretaker couple was shot dead inside a gurdwara in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Wednesday. The incident occurred in Babu Mohallah locality of Mardan, about 60 km northwest of Peshawar. This triggered sharp reactions in India.
According to the Mardan District Police Officer Masood Ahmed, unidentified assailants opened fire inside the gurdwara, resulting in the death of Jagannath and his wife Asma Wanti. Police said efforts were underway to ascertain the motive behind the attack and nab those involved.
Couple killed despite high security
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Member Suresh Kumar demanded the immediate arrest of the perpetrators involved in the murders and gave police a 24-hour deadline to show progress in the investigation. Condemning the attack, Kumar said it was deeply alarming that such an incident could occur despite the presence of security personnel and police in the area. He called for a transparent and impartial investigation into all aspects of the case.
CCTV footage
Kumar also expressed concerns over the handling of CCTV evidence collected from the crime scene, claiming that the Digital Video Recorder was removed in an “extremely careless manner”, raising questions about the preservation of evidence and the transparency of the investigation.
He urged the District Police Officer Mardan, the Regional Police Officer Mardan Region, and the Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to ensure a thorough probe into the incident and take action against any officials found negligent. The lawmaker warned that if the suspects are not arrested or significant progress is not made in the investigation within 24 hours, peaceful protests would be staged in Mardan, Peshawar, and Islamabad.
Meanwhile, police said special investigation teams have been constituted and inquiries are underway from multiple angles. Officials added that modern forensic and technical resources are being utilised to identify and apprehend the attackers.
Indian leaders condemn killing inside gurudwara
In India, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj and BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh have condemned the killing. Jathedar Gargajj asked Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Khan Afridi to take strict notice of the matter, immediately arrest those responsible, and ensure severe punishment for the culprits.
Rajya Sabha MP Chugh slammed the Pakistan government for failing to protect the minorities and their human rights.
While questioning whether it was state-sponsored terrorism to victimise minorities, Chugh demanded the intervention of international authorities to take the Pakistan government to task. Describing the murder as “barbaric and deeply disturbing”, Chugh said the attack had created fear among Sikhs and other minorities living in Pakistan.
He alleged that repeated incidents of violence against minorities exposed the inability of the Pakistani establishment to provide security and justice. Chugh urged Sharif and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to ensure the immediate arrest of those responsible and bring them to justice.
(With inputs from agencies)
