MARDAN: Unidentified assailants shot and killed an elderly Sikh couple inside a Gurdwara in the Babu Mohallah area of Mardan district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The brutal attack marks a deeply concerning breach of security in the region.
The victims, 70-year-old Jagan Nath and his wife, lived within the premises and worked as caretakers of the worship place. The gunmen opened fire on the couple inside the building and fled the scene immediately after the assault.
Mardan Police and Rescue 1122 teams rushed to the site after receiving the alert. They moved the bodies to the local hospital for post-mortem examinations. Law enforcement agencies have launched a manhunt to track down the suspects, while initial legal investigations remain underway.
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The targeted killing drew widespread condemnation from political leaders. The central secretary general of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Muhammad Humayun Khan, strongly denounced the firing incident. He called the attack on a religious site and innocent citizens a cowardly, regrettable, and completely intolerable act.
“Targeting minority communities through violence is a direct conspiracy against Pakistan’s peace, tolerance, and national unity,” Humayun Khan stated in an official press release from Islamabad. He emphasized that Sikhs, Hindus, Christians, and all other minority groups form an integral part of Pakistan. He added that protecting their lives and property remains the foremost responsibility of the state.
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The PPP leader asserted that individuals who violate the sanctity of religious sites deserve no leniency. He demanded that authorities bring these elements before the law and hand them exemplary punishments to prevent future tragedies.
Humayun Khan called upon provincial authorities to launch a swift, transparent, and scientific investigation into the Mardan attack to expose the perpetrators. He noted that terrorist elements constantly try to undermine regional peace and brotherhood. However, he insisted that Pashtun society—deeply rooted in traditions of harmony and hospitality—will defeat these nefarious designs.
The central leader urged the state to aggressively strengthen security measures for vulnerable minority communities. This protection will ensure that every Pakistani can practice their faith without fear. Finally, Khan expressed heartfelt sympathy and solidarity with the grieving families, promising that his party will demand strict legal action until they receive justice.
