Taliban behead 2 Pak Sikhs; SGPC condemns incident

Taliban behead 2 Pak Sikhs

Peshawar/Islamabad, February 21
Two Sikhs, who were kidnapped over a month ago, have been beheaded by the Pakistani Taliban in the country’s restive tribal belt in a brutal act by the militants. Some more members of the minority community are still in the custody of the rebels.

The body of Jaspal Singh was found in the Khyber tribal region, located a short distance from the provincial capital of Peshawar, while the body of Mahal Singh was found in the Aurakzai Agency, sources said tonight.

There was confusion about the total number of Sikhs who were kidnapped for ransom from the Bara area of Khyber Agency by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. A source said four Sikhs were abducted while another report said the total number of kidnapped persons was six.

The Sikhs were kidnapped 34 days ago and the Taliban had demanded Rs 30 million as ransom for their release. Two of the kidnapped Sikhs were beheaded after the expiry of the deadline for the payment of the ransom, sources said.

Gurvinder Singh and Gurjit Singh are still in the custody of the militants, sources said.

The kidnapping occurred in an area where there the government has virtually no control and the militants are in a dominant position, sources said.

A sizeable number of Sikhs lived in the tribal belt, particularly Aurakzai Agency, till the Taliban imposed jiziya on them last year. Most members of the community then fled to cities across Pakistan.

According to uncofirmed reports, the Taliban had dumped the heads of the two victims at a gurdwara in Peshawar. An estimated 10,000 Sikhs live in the NWFP and tribal areas, descendants of those who chose not to move to India during the Partition. — PTI


SGPC condemns incident

Amritsar, February 21
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) today strongly condemned the beheading of Sikhs in Pakistan and asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take up the matter with his counterpart in Pakistan.

SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar said, “The SGPC and entire Sikh community strongly condemns the brutal murder of Sikhs at Peshawar in Pakistan by Taliban.”

He asked the Prime Minister to take up the matter with Pakistan government and ask it to provide adequate security to the minority Sikh community, as they were not safe in Pakistan.

He also demanded that the Prime Minister make immediate arrangements for an SGPC delegation to visit Pakistan to take stock of the situation.

Makkar said the SGPC firmly stood with the Sikhs living in Peshawar and all over Pakistan and was always ready to extend all possible help to them.

Even, the Indian government is in a state of shock after receiving the news reports, but there was no immediate comment by the government that was ascertaining the details. “We are aware of these media reports. If it is true, then it’s a matter of shock. We are ascertaining the facts,” official sources said. — PTI

This is really sad news to read. According to the following link the Sikhs died because they refused to convert to Islam:

[in.news.yahoo.com]

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"The men had gone to the FATA area for some work but were held by Taliban groups who apparently asked them to convert to Islam. Sources said the information so far suggests that the men resisted the order and were then beheaded."

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It was a gruesome and cruel act. These people claim to be doings such actions to please Allah. But Allah is merciful and would never condone such injustice towards helpless and armless persons. Shame on these aggressors!! Their faces will be blackened in this world and the next one.

Hail to the Singhs who gave their lives but not their Dharma!!

Kulbir Singh

[timesofindia.indiatimes.com]

ATTARI: ``I am proud of my brother, he has not been killed, he has attained martyrdom for the honour of Sikh religion. He refused to convert to Islam and preferred to lay down his life,'' an inconsolable Taranjit Singh told TOI here on Monday, a day after his cousin's beheaded body was found.

Pakistani Taliban had ruthlessly beheaded Jaspal Singh and Mahal Singh while two others - Gurjit Singh and Gurvinder Singh - are still in their custody. Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Sham Singh, however, said only Jaspal Singh had been killed.

Jaspal's cousin, Taranjit, who lives in Lahore, has been in India for the past three weeks on a pilgrimage. He revealed that the kidnapping of Sikhs by Taliban was not only for money, but also to threaten the small Sikh community of Pakistan to embrace Islam.

Taranjit, who was on his way back to Pakistan, said: ``Had it only been about money, we (the Sikh community of Peshawar) would have contributed and paid the hefty ransom of Rs 3 crore and forgotten about it for the sake of their lives. But they (Taliban) had forced Jaspal to cut his hair and convert to Islam to which my brother refused and they beheaded him.'' He said Jaspal had sacrificed his life for the religion and to protect his identity.

"I have to go and see how the situation is there for us,'' he said, unsure of the fate of the Sikh community in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) bordering Afghanistan. He, however, admitted that he was afraid to return home.

Kirpal Singh, brother-in-law of the victim, said, ``Jaspal and his mother were also to accompany us and they had even got the visa for pilgrimage, but then he was abducted.'' Jaspal is survived by four children, including two daughters, and his widow, he added.

Sikhs in general were safe in Pakistan, but in FATA and other areas under control of Orkazai Agency, Taliban set their own rules, Kirpal Singh said.

May Guru Sahib give the same strength to Bhai Gurjit Singh Ji and Bhai Gurvinder Singh Ji that they gave to Bhai Jaspal SIngh Ji .

This is the second time that the Taliban has threatened the Sikh community during the recent conflict between the US and Taliban. Something should be done before its gets out of hand, and they start to kill more Gursikhs and destroy Sikh heritage in Pakistan. Taliban are known to destroy priceless heritage of other cultures. Look what they did with one of the most ancient Buddhist statues in Afghanistan.

Perhaps the Affluent SGPC should start hiring armed bodyguards to protect the historical Gurdwaras in Pakistan. I remember many representaives of the SGPC went to Pakistan during the refugee conflict to look for potential development prospects. Has anybody heard any recent news on what they are now doing?

Is there a credible trust fund for Bhai Jaspal SIngh Jis family?

Khalsa Panth needs to confront Taliban once and for all!
They need to be taught a lesson
They don't plan to stop until they can enforce their version of heretical Islam on everyone.

Chota veer

Just when we think that only the Sikhs of the past were this brave, we can now see that their are still Sikhs who will prefer to become Shaheeds then give up Sikhi. These Pakistani Sikhs are Shaheeds. Even in the face of death they did not give up Sikhi. On the other hand look at us Indian Sikhs, we give up Sikhi so easily under the influance of western culture or even to other religions such as Sacha Sauda, Noormahalia, Radhasoami, Christianity etc.

Shaheed Bhai Jaspal Singh Jee

Brutal Beheading of Peshawar Sikh by Taliban
Last Updated on Tuesday, 23 February 2010 02:30 Written by SY Tuesday, 23 February 2010 02:25

Jaspal Singh, a resident of Peshawar, was brutally beheaded by Pakistan Taliban. He was one of three Sikhs abducted by the Taliban approximately 41 days ago and held for ransom. The other two abductees, Gurvinder Singh, and his uncle Surjeet Singh, are reported to be still in the custody of Taliban. Sikh organization UNITED SIKHS is appealing to several international and national level human rights organizations for concrete measures that will protect Sikhs and other minorities in Pakistan against such gross injustices.



Local sources suggest that Jaspal Singh, Surjeet Singh and Gurvinder Singh, all residents of Dabagaree Garden, Peshawar were en route to Khyber Agency to meet with relatives when Taliban militants kidnapped them in the Chora Tanga Akaakhel area on January 21, 2010 in the afternoon. Initially, the Sikh community in Peshawar was reluctant to report this incident to media or to the Government due to fear of repercussions from Taliban, and the families, along with the local community and local Sikh leaders attempted to negotiate the release of three Sikhs.



Sources report that the Pakistan Taliban viciously beheaded Jaspal Singh the night of February 20, 2010 in the Upper Tirah valley Region on the border of Khyber and Orakzai agency and threw his body on the rocks. In a letter that was found on the body of Jaspal Singh, the Taliban demanded 20 million Pak Rupees ($235,000 USD) for the release of the other two Sikhs, warning relatives and the Sikh community against approaching the media. The letter further stated that the Sikh minority community would risk the lives of the two Sikhs in captivity and could also face threats of suicide attacks if the details of beheading and kidnapping were revealed to the media or security forces.
Information received from local sources suggests that Taliban forcefully attempted to convert the Sikhs to Islam. However, when the Sikhs refused to convert, Jaspal Singh was mercilessly slaughtered.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and other Sikh governing bodies have strongly renounced the attacks, and Sikh communities across the world are in mourning.



India outraged over beheading of Sikhs
India government strongly condemned the ‘barbaric’ beheading of two Sikhs by the Taliban in Pakistan as Sikh organisations asked the government to intervene and take up the matter strongly with the Pakistan Government. An anguished External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, describing the murders of the Sikhs in Khyber and Orakzai areas near Peshawar as shocking, said the issue would be raised by New Delhi at the Indo-Pak Foreign Secretary-level talks.

“We are in touch with the Indian High Commission in Islamabad and are looking into the matter. We will bring up the issue with Pakistan.”
Union Sports Minister M S Gill, who met the Foreign Minister to ask him to act immediately in the matter, said he was extremely concerned that some Sikhs in Pakistan were being coerced into becoming Muslims. Last year also, he recalled, some Sikh families had been taken hostage in Pakistan and forced to pay ‘jiziya’ (religious tax).

(A Sikh boy protests against Taliban’s act of killing Sikhs in Pakistan, in Jammu on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph)


Killing of Sikhs in Pak
SGPC to give Rs 5 lakh each to families
Gurdeep Singh Mann
Tribune News Service

Fatehgarh Sahib, February 23
Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) president Avtar Singh Makkar today said the SGPC would give Rs 5 lakh each to the family members of the Sikh victims of Taliban militants in Pakistan.

He also urged the Sikh community in Pakistan to come and stay in Punjab and all possible help would be extended to them here. Makkar was speaking to the media during the preparations of Sirhind Fateh Diwas to be held in Fatehgarh Sahib from May 12 to 14.

He said the Sikhs in Pakistan were not safe and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh should intervene to ensure the safety of the Sikhs. He said 11-member team should be sent to Pakistan to take stock of the situation.

He said a national-level seminar would be organised at Fatehgarh Sahib in view of the Sirhind Fateh Diwas on March 23 and an international-level seminar would be held in Delhi on April 23.

The SGPC would release gold coins of 5 and 10 g and silver coins of 50 g. A documentary film on Baba Banda Singh Bahadur will also be made in the coming few days, he said.

A museum in the memory of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur is also being constructed in Fatehgarh Sahib with an expenditure of Rs 20 crore on 10 acres land.

Makkar also pointed out that sports events were also being held in Mata Gujri College from March 12 to 14, wherein, national teams of hockey and football would participate. Participants of kabaddi, horse riding and gatka would also participate.

Sirhind MLA, Didar Singh Bhatti, district SAD ( B ) president Jagdeep Singh Cheema, SGPC member Karnail Singh Panjoli, Bibi Surinder Kaur, gurdwara manager Amarjeet Singh, Ranjeet Singh, Malkiat Singh Matharu, Dilmegh Singh and others were also present.

Beheading of Sikhs
BJP burns Taliban effigy
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 23
Upset over beheading of Sikhs by Taliban in Peshawar town of Pakistan, BJP activists today burnt an effigy of Taliban and held an angry demonstration at the Clock Tower Chowk here today. Rajiv Katna, district president of the party, said acts of Taliban and that of terrorism were being perpetrated by the Pakistan government in India to destabilise the country called for firm and effective steps.

“The dastardly act of beheading Sikhs and throwing their bodies in front of a gurdwara was aimed at provoking the Indians and the world community must take serious note of conduct of the Pakistan government.”

He urged the UPA government at the Centre to take up the issue with the Pakistan government and also raise the matter at the global platform so as to ensure safety of life and property of the minorities in Pakistan.





(Former MP Satya Pal Jain (extreme right) with UT BJP president Sanjay Tandon (centre) sit on a peace protest against the killing of Sikhs in Pakistan, in front of the Sector 46 gurdwara, Chandigarh, on Tuesday. Tribune photo: S Chandan )

Not long ago I remember the Pakistani Government allowed a Sikh to join the army. It seems as though Taliban is bent on taking over Pakistan. Perhaps it would be a wise choice on Pakistans behalf to recruit more Singhs in the Army.

Are we sure that Taliban killed the Sikhs and not intelligence agencies that want to stir up conflict between Sikhs and Muslims. Many years ago, when more than 30 Sikhs were killed in Kashmir, Muslim extremists were being blamed but later on these claims were proven wrong.

If the Taliban have not owned up this action, then we should hesitate from blaming them. It could be the work of intelligence agencies with vested interests or criminal or rogue elements.

There have been reports about involvement of RAW. I don't know what to say, it's a very complex matter we have at hand.

the taliban have been harassing Sikhs for years in Afghanistan. sangat was not allowed to gather, keertan could not be played in public, and Sikhs were required to wear a yellow cloth sewn on their clothing to identify them (just like Jews in Nazi Germany).

i think in this case, especially with the signature beheadings, i think it's extremely plausible that this was the work of taliban.

Shift Sikhs to ‘safer places in Pakistan’
Prabhjot Singh
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 24
India will take up the issue of safety and security of Sikhs in Pakistan at the coming talks between the two countries. External Affairs Minister SM Krishna gave this assurance to an 11-member Sikh delegation led by DSGMC chief Paramjit Singh Sarna.

Union Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur accompanied the delegation.

Talking to The Tribune over the telephone, Sarna said senior leaders of the Sikh community from other parts of India, including Mumbai, and overseas --- Canada --- also accompanied the delegation. Sarna said the Sikh delegation urged the Indian Foreign Minister to use diplomatic channels effectively to secure release of the other Sikhs in captivity of the Taliban.

The visiting delegation told the External Affairs Minister that the Government of India should also impress upon its counterparts in Islamabad not to sell the land belonging to Sikhs in Pakistan. Rather, it should use this land either for rehabilitating or relocating Sikhs living in Taliban-dominated vulnerable areas.

“Hundreds of acres of land belonging to the historic Sikh institutions had been encroached upon. We want that land to be cleared of encroachers and restored to historic Sikh institutions,” Sarna said.

Indirectly opposing the suggestion made by the SGPC that Sikhs in Pakistan should be given visas and efforts be made to relocate them in India, the Sikh delegation wanted the Ministry of External Affairs to insist upon the Pakistan Government to shift these Sikhs to safer places in Lahore, Sheikhupura and Hassan Abdal that were close to Sikh shrines.

“There are 174 gurdwaras in Pakistan and it will be aggravating the problem than solving it by suggesting their relocation in India,” Sarna said. The Sikh delegation also took up the issue of the ‘blacklisted’ Sikhs and wanted the government to review it and clear it. It also wanted single entry visas for Sikhs living overseas.