ISI targeting Sikhs in Pakistan and Afghanistan

Lahore [Pakistan], Jul 2 (ANI): A massive operation of ethnic cleansing of Sikhs from Pakistan is underway with the ISI systematically eliminating them from all across the country and in neighbouring Afghanistan.

On Sunday, a group of Sikhs and Hindus, who were on their way to meet the country's president in the eastern province on Nangarhar, were targeted by a suicide bomber.

A majority of the 19 dead in the attack are from the minority Sikh and Hindu community, including the only candidate for parliamentary elections Avtar Singh Khalsa, activist Ravail Singh, Sikh Community spokesman Iqbal Singh and peace activist Anup Singh.

The shameful act, allegedly perpetrated by the Taliban under the patronage of Pakistan's ISI has been condemned by the members of the Sikh community and other members of the civil society.

Manjeet Singh GK, president of Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Commitee said in his tweet, "I strongly condemn the barbaric act of terrorism in Afghanistan where Sikh leaders were killed, who were visiting the President. I urge @SushmaSwaraj ji to please conduct an inquiry in the matter & ensure that the bodies are received by their relatives".

A majority of Sikhs in Afghanistan has migrated to India because of ongoing decades-long conflict in Afghanistan.

Many Sikh leaders in India have shown concern over the safety of minority Sikhs and Hindus living in Pakistan and Afghanistan, as they are frequently targeted by Pakistani terrorists and intelligence agencies.

Reacting strongly on Jalalabad attack, Manjinder S. Sirsa, spokesperson of Shiromani Akali Dal said, "I request @SushmaSwaraj to raise the issue of safety of Sikhs and Hindus living in Pakistan and Afghanistan, at global level."

Avtar Singh Khalsa, who was killed in the attack on Sunday was the only member from the minority Sikh community who was to contest for upcoming parliamentary elections in Afghanistan.

Parwiz Kawa, a prominent Journalist and writer in Afghanistan have shown concern over the barbaric killing of Avtar Singh and other members from the minority community. He said in a tweet, "And our Avtar Singh no longer runs for the parliament. Terrorists killed him along with 9 other Afghan Sikhs and 9 more. A total of 19 people lost their lives in a blast in Nangarhar province."

In an estimate, Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan numbered more than 80,000 in the 1970s. But, today only around 1,000 remain.

The situation of Sikhs and Hindus in Pakistan living in Pakistan, especially in areas bordering Afghanistan is not good.

A month ago, prominent Sikh religious leader Charanjit Singh Sagar was shot dead in Peshawar city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.

The minority Sikh and Hindu community in Pakistan remains on frequent target of Pakistani Taliban and secret agencies and majority of these families have been forced to migrate to Europe and India.

The systematic targets on minority Sikhs and Hindus in Pakistan and Afghanistan are perpetrated by Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) as they believe to have close links with India. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI