UNITED SIKHS Calls on Pakistan to Secure Safety of Minorities as 2 Sikhs are Rescued from the Taliban
Sikh Community Relieved as Two Sikhs Freed from Taliban Captivity, Sadly After One is Beheaded
UNITED SIKHS
appeals for help to rehabilitate displaced Sikh families living in
Peshawar, who fled the tribal areas last year without many belongings
and have limited resources to start life afresh. You may donate online here or post a check payable to UNITED SIKHS to a UNITED SIKHS office nearest to you. Click here for office locations.
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Peshawar, PAKISTAN:
UNITED SIKHS joined a Sikh delegation to meet the Pakistan Minority
Minister today to seek assurances for the safety and security of
minorities including Sikhs who have recently been targeted by the
Taliban in Pakistan.
This meeting with the Minority Minister, Shabaz Bhatti, followed the
brutal beheading on 20th February 2010 of a Sikh, Jaspal Singh, by the
Taliban, who had captured him with two other Sikhs in the Khyber
Agency. The meeting followed an announcement by the Pakistan Army that
it had secured the safe return of the two other Sikh captives on 1st
March 2010, following a global outcry after the beheading of Jaspal
Singh.
"We will protect the life and properties of the Sikhs and other
minorities in Pakistan. The President and Prime Minister of Pakistan
have been briefed about the developments. Rescuing the captured Sikhs
was our mission and we accomplished it. I assure my support to all
minorities, " Shabaz Bhatti reassured the Sikh delegation, which
included Pyara Singh, the late Jaspal Singh’s father.
The Two Sikhs who were rescued by the Pakistan Army are: Gurvinder
Singh, 16, who was unhurt and Surjeet Singh, 25, who was injured by a
gunshot fired at him. Surjeet Singh was taken to the Combined Military
Hospital (CMH) in Peshawar and is reported to be out of danger.
According to media statements given by the Pakistan army, the two Sikhs
were rescued after a massive operation conducted by security personnel.
Many militants were reportedly killed in the gun battle.
On 11 January Jaspal Singh , Surjeet Singh and Gurvinder Singh were on
their way to meet relatives when they kidnapped by Taliban militants in
the Khyber Agency. On 20th Feb one of three Kidnapped Sikhs, Jaspal
Singh was beheaded in the upper Tirah valley area on the border of the
Khyber and Orakzai Agencies. You may read about Jaspal Singh’s murder
at https://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-23-02-2010-00.html
Gurvinder Singh (in a red Turban) is greeted by Sikhs at the Bhai Joga Singh Gurudwara, Peshawar
UNITED SIKHS is thankful to the Government of Pakistan and all well
wishers around the world including Canada, USA, India, UK, Australia,
Malaysia, and Afghanistan who appealed to the Pakistan Government for
the safety and security of minorities and prayed for the two Sikhs.
UNITED SIKHS appeals for help to rehabilitate displaced Sikh families
living in Peshawar, who fled the tribal areas last year without many
belongings and have limited resources to start life afresh. You may
donate online at www.unitedsikhs.org/donate or post a check payable to
UNITED SIKHS to a UNITED SIKHS office nearest to you. For details of
our offices see www.unitedsikhs.org/contact.php.
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Issued by:
Kuldip Singh
Director
UNITED SIKHS law-usa@unitedsikhs.org
Ph: 1-888-243-1690 |
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UNITED SIKHS encourages the
Sikh community to wear their Kakaars, fearlessly exercise their freedom
of religion, and to contact us with any problems, concerns, or
incidents of discrimination.
We need your support
to undertake relief efforts in Pakistan and help those whose lives and
livelihoods are severely threatened.
15 families need to be rehabilitated, and only 9 have received help so far. See this.
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Contact Us |
UNITED SIKHS encourages the Sikh community to wear their kakaars, fearlessly exercise their freedom of religion, and to contact us with any problems, concerns, or incidents of discrimination.
UNITED
SIKHS needs your support to undertake relief efforts in Pakistan and
help those whose lives and livelihoods are severely threatened. 15
families need to be rehabilitated, and only 9 have received help so
far.
To donate to the Pakistan IDP Relief effort, please Click here or contact your local UNITED SIKHS office. |
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