Attack on Hindu businessman's house, worship place sparks panic in Sindh

Abdul Malik Jagirani claims responsibility, vows to target more temples if Seema Haider is not repatriated by India

KARACHI:

Unidentified miscreants opened fire on the house of a Hindu businessman and the next-door Hindu worship place in Sindh’s Kashmore district late Saturday night, causing panic among the Hindu community across the Sindh province.

Police are now preparing to file a First Information Report (FIR) against the attackers, as they begin investigating the motive behind the attack.

The incident took place within the jurisdiction of the Ghuspur police station in Kashmore district, known for its notorious activities involving dacoits. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the attack, which has left the local Hindu community deeply concerned about their safety.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kashmore, Irfan Samo, informed The Express Tribune that the police will explore all possible angles during the investigation to identify and apprehend the culprits responsible for the attack. He stated that the motives behind the incident remain unclear, as it does not appear to be a direct assault on the worship place.

Police have also discovered an unexploded mortar near the site, further adding to the intensity of the situation. Samo expressed his suspicion that the attack may have been a message for the Hindu businessman, as he has reportedly received ransom calls and messages in the past.

Also read: Threatened by bandits, Hindus limit temple visits

Meanwhile, in an unverified video message, notorious dacoit of Kashmor, Abdul Malik Jagirani, has claimed that he has attacked the Hindu temple [the worship place]. “SSP Irfan Samo should bring back Seema Haider Jakhrani or I will attack more temples like I did last night.”

Jagirani said that he will kill all the policemen deployed at the temples and will attack the temples, brandishing his modern weapons along with his aide at an unidentified location.

Seema Jakhrani has recently made headlines in Indian media as the wife of Indian national Sachin Meena.

The love story between Seema, 27, and Sachin, 22, who met through the popular online game PUBG, has captured attention in India after the couple ended up in jail. Seema entered India illegally in May, along with her four young children, and they had been staying with Sachin in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, for over a month, according to the police.

Also read: PUBG love story: Husband of Pakistani woman in India wants his children back

Earlier this month, the couple was arrested, and a court remanded them in jail for 14 days. Seema's children are currently with her. The couple has expressed their desire to get married and live together. The police are conducting a detailed investigation into the case.

It should be noted that the worship place adjacent to the businessman's house is not a temple but a one-room and a hall area called Dera Sanwal Shah, enclosed by a boundary wall. While an annual festival is held there, no one was present at the time of the attack, according to the senior police official.

To ensure the security of the Hindu temples in the Kashmore district, where a total of 43 temples are located, at least five police officials have been deployed at each temple following the threats issued by dacoits after the Seema Haider case. The attack on the Hindu businessman's property has only intensified concerns among the Hindu community, especially after rumors spread through social media claiming that the Hindu temples were targeted.

It is important to mention that various gangs have warned the Indian government that Hindu temples in Ghotki, Kashmore, and other areas of Sindh province will be attacked if Seema Haider is not repatriated. These threats have added to the fear and apprehension among the Hindu population in the region.