MARDAN, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa🇵🇰: A Sikh caretaker couple was shot dead in a targeted attack inside a Gurdwara in Mardan district on Wednesday, raising fresh concerns about the security of religious minorities and places of worship in Pakistan.
According to police officials, unidentified gunmen entered the Gurdwara located in the Babu Mohallah area of Mardan and opened fire on the caretaker, Jagannath, and his wife, Asma Wanti. Both victims sustained critical gunshot wounds and died at the scene.
The attackers reportedly fled immediately after the shooting, while local residents and worshippers alerted law enforcement authorities. Police and security personnel reached the site shortly afterward, cordoned off the area, and launched an investigation into the incident.
District Police Officer (DPO) Masood Ahmed confirmed that the couple had been serving as caretakers of the Gurdwara and stated that efforts were underway to identify and apprehend those responsible. Investigators are examining various angles, including the possibility of a targeted attack, though no official motive has yet been established.
The killings have drawn condemnation from Sikh organizations and community leaders, who described the attack as a tragic assault on a peaceful religious minority. Representatives of the Sikh community called on authorities to conduct a transparent investigation and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
The incident has also renewed debate about the safety of minority communities in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where members of religious minorities have previously expressed concerns about security and protection.
Religious and civil society leaders urged the government to strengthen security measures at minority places of worship and to take concrete steps to safeguard vulnerable communities from violence and intimidation.
Police said forensic evidence was being collected from the crime scene, while witness statements were being recorded as part of the ongoing investigation. No arrests had been announced at the time of filing this report.
Authorities have assured the Sikh community that every effort will be made to identify the perpetrators and determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.
For more updates and detailed coverage of this case and other issues affecting the Hindu and Sindhi communities in Sindh, Pakistan, stay tuned to Sindh Renaissance.
