A popular leader of Pakistan’s Sikh minority, who was also a human rights activist, was gunned down on the outskirts of Peshawar on Tuesday.
The murder caused panic among the Sikh community, as several of its members have been killed in different parts of the city over the past few years. (Reuters File Photo/ Representative image)
Charnjit Singh, 52, was shot dead within his shop in Scheme Chowk area.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
{{^usCountry}}{{/usCountry}}
“An attacker shot Singh inside his shop and escaped,” superintendent of police Saddar Shaukat Khan told the local media. “He died on the spot.”
It was not clear whether it was a targeted killing or the outcome of personal enmity.
Singh had been living in Peshawar for decades but his family hailed from the Kurram tribal region. He owned a store in the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province for a long time.
The murder caused panic among the Sikh community, as several of its members have been killed in different parts of the city over the past few years.
Most Sikhs living in Peshawar are members of families that previously resided in different parts of the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas who shifted to the city after the law and order situation deteriorated. Most of them run petty businesses.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
{{^usCountry}}
Many members of the Sikh community live in Mohalla Jogan Shah, where an old gurdwara is located.
{{/usCountry}}
{{#usCountry}}
Many members of the Sikh community live in Mohalla Jogan Shah, where an old gurdwara is located.
{{/usCountry}}
In recent years, Sikhs in some parts of northwest Pakistan have been targeted by militant groups such as the Taliban, who have forced them to pay jiziya or an Islamic tax. Members of the minority have also been kidnapped and killed.
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.
Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.
Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.
