AI Generated Summary
- A Sikh couple serving as caretakers at a gurdwara in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province were shot dead by unidentified gunmen on Wednesday, prompting authorities to launch an investigation into the attack.
- The victims were identified as Jagannath and his wife, Asma Wanti, who were responsible for overseeing the upkeep and daily activities of the Sikh place of worship.
- According to local police, armed assailants entered the premises of the gurdwara and opened fire, killing the couple on the spot.
A Sikh couple serving as caretakers at a gurdwara in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province were shot dead by unidentified gunmen on Wednesday, prompting authorities to launch an investigation into the attack.
The incident took place in the Babu Mohallah area of Mardan district, located nearly 60 kilometres from the provincial capital, Peshawar. According to local police, armed assailants entered the premises of the gurdwara and opened fire, killing the couple on the spot.
The victims were identified as Jagannath and his wife, Asma Wanti, who were responsible for overseeing the upkeep and daily activities of the Sikh place of worship.
Senior police officials confirmed that a case has been registered and efforts are underway to determine the motive behind the killings. Investigators are examining various angles, including the possibility of a targeted attack, while security agencies have been tasked with tracing those responsible.
Mardan District Police Officer Masood Ahmed said law enforcement teams had launched a search operation and were gathering evidence from the crime scene. No arrests had been made at the time of filing this report.
The attack has raised concerns among Pakistan’s minority Sikh community, which has occasionally faced security challenges despite government assurances regarding the protection of religious minorities. Authorities have pledged to bring the perpetrators to justice and strengthen security measures around places of worship in the region.
