Jamrud/Peshawar, Pakistan (January 09, 2012): As per media reports a 40-year-old Sikh man, abducted over a month ago by a “militant” group in Pakistan’s tribal region for allegedly spying for a rival outfit, has been found beheaded.
Mohinder Singh, a herbal medicines’ seller, was kidnapped from his shop in Tabbai village of Khyber tribal agency by unidentified armed men on November 20, 2012.
He was reportedly beheaded on January 08, 2013 and his body was mutilated before it was packed in a sack and dumped at Zakhakhel Bazaar in Khyber, unnamed officials were quoted as saying by “The Dawn” newspaper.
The officials said that Tawheedul Islam militant group had claimed responsibility for killing Mohinder Singh.
A note left with the body said he had been killed for “spying” for rival militant group, the Lashkar-e-Islam. The body was identified by the slain man’s brother Daswant Singh.
He said his brother’s killing was a “cruel act” against members of the minority Sikh community.
“We have no enmity with anyone and have lived peacefully in Khyber agency for more than six decades,” he said.
Daswant Singh reportedly told some media outlets that his family had earlier approached the Tauheedul Islam, a pro-government militia of Zakhakhel tribesmen, but it had claimed it did not know the whereabouts of Singh.
“After we tried and used all tribal channels and sources for the recovery of my brother, we sent an application to Mutahir Zeb, Political Agent of the Khyber Agency, on December 13, 2012 to seek his support,” Daswant Singh said.
The official had reportedly assured the family that Mohinder Singh would be recovered within a week.
Mohinder Singh has been survived by his wife and nine children, including a polio-affected son.
Accoring to “Daily Times”: in 2010, another Sikh, Jaspal Singh, was murdered in the Tribal Areas while security forces rescued Sarabjit and Gorinder Singh after an operation.
According to “The Express Tribune”: leader of the community Baba Amarjeet Singh said they requested the political administration to ensure Mahinder’s release several times, but no action was taken.
“Earlier, Mahinder’s brother Baswant Singh was also kidnapped, but later released after militants chopped off his hair,” The Express Tribune news report added.