Sikh trader injured while resisting robbery bid in Peshawar

Members of minority community gathered outside Lady Reading Hospital in large numbers to protest against the incident

PESHAWAR:

The Sikh community protested on Tuesday after a trader belonging to the minority community was shot at after he resisted a robbery attempt at a hakim’s shop situated at Scheme Chowk in Peshawar.

The robber after stealing the cash and other valuables from the shop was fleeing the crime scene when Pepinder Singh raised hue and cry, drawing attention of the locals who caught the robber and handed over the accused to police.

However, Singh suffered bullet injuries and was rushed to the Lady Reading Hospital in critical condition. The Sikh community leaders also gathered outside the hospital in large numbers.

In a similar incident a few years ago, Charan Jait Singh, a Sikh social leader was also shot dead by unidentified assailants inside the shop within the limits of Badaber police station.

Following the incident, his family left the provincial capital.

Likewise, Dr Satnam Singh, a member of the Sikh community, associated with NGO Wisdom was also killed by unidentified assailants last year.

The incident was termed terrorism, and an FIR of the killing was also registered. However, no progress has been made in the case yet.

Also read: Sikh traders complain of calls from extortionists

Referring to the recent attacks on the Sikh community, Sikh leader Dr Sahib Singh said that Pepinder Singh was targeted but fortunately he survived the attack and his condition is out of danger after being shot in the feet.

SP Saddar Circle Farhan told The Express Tribune that as soon as the information was received about the incident, the police immediately reached the spot and detained the accused.

He said a passer-by has also sustained injuries in the incident. However, it is too early to say why the accused opened fire on Pepinder Singh, he added.

According to the senior police official, the accused has been identified as Ahmad, a resident of Peshawar.

Ahmed is also a drug addict and had remained involved in other criminal activities. Last year, traders belonging to Sikh community were deprived of their mobile phones worth around Rs3 million by robbers but no recovery has been made despite the passage of one year.