Sikh shopkeeper gunned down in Peshawar

A Sikh shopkeeper was gunned down on Friday by unidentified gunmen riding on a motorcycle within the jurisdiction of Rehman Baba police station in Peshawar, Express News reported.

According to details, the victim, Dayal Singh, was a resident of Peshawar's Mohalla Jogan Shah neigh bourhood. He used to travel from Dagri to his rented grocery shop on Kohat Road and returned home around 5:00 PM every day.

His family depended on the income from the shop for their livelihood, but his life was tragically cut short when unknown motorcyclists shot and killed them.

In May of last year, Dayal Singh's two cousins, Ranjit Singh and Koljit Singh, were targeted and killed in the suburbs of Sarband Butta Tal Bazar. An FIR was registered under terrorism provisions for the attack.

Also read: Prominent Hindu doctor gunned down in 'targeted hit' in Karachi

Police officials have collected 30-bore pistol shells and other pieces of evidence from the crime scene, and obtained CCTV footage in an effort to identify the perpetrators.

The victim has left behind a widow and three children.

The incident marks the 28th incident of violence against the Sikh community as the government's efforts to prevent such targeted killings have fallen short, said Radesh Singh Tony, Chairman for the Minority Rights Forum Pakistan.

He said that 27 other members of the community have previously lost their lives in similar attacks, adding that no arrests have been made as yet.

"We strongly condemn this terrorist incident and demand the arrest of the killers," he said.

Radesh Singh Tony said that a Hindu doctor in Karachi was also murdered in a similar fashion but, despite these incidents, we trust the police to bring the perpetrators to justice. He further said that these tragic incidents have sparked widespread sadness and concern.

President of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), Sardar Ameer Singh, also condemned the incident.

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"I strongly condemn the brutal killing of Sardar Dayal Singh, an innocent and peaceful Sikh citizen, in Peshawar on March 31, 2023, and ask the government of Pakistan to arrest the murderers as soon as possible," he said in a statement.

"I demand recognition from the government to ensure the safety of the lives and property of the peaceful Sikh citizens living in Pakistan," he further said.