Christian cleaner killed in apparent targeted attack in Peshawar

Incident comes a day after the killing of Sikh trader in the city

Unidentified motorcyclists killed a Christian cleaner in an apparent targeted attack in Sufaid Dheri area, police said on Saturday.

Kashif Masih was an employee in Town-III. He was on his way home when assailants opened fire and killed him on the spot.

Sufaid Dheri Police Station has registered a case and further investigation was underway. The incident comes a day after a Sikh shop owner, Dayal Singh, was killed in Peshawar.

Human rights activist Haroon Sarab Diyal while expressing concern over the “target” killing of a minority member in Peshawar has demanded effective security measures to prevent such incidents in future.

In a press statement, Diyal said the recent killing of a Sikh trader and a Christian man in Peshawar has sent shockwaves and insecurity among the members of the minority communities. He demanded strict implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) formulated for the eradication of terrorism and anti-state elements.

He also demanded the consultation of minority members with security forces to chalk out measures for curbing terrorism. He added a large number of minority members are working in different government and private departments especially in the suburban areas of cities and need strict measures for security.

He also demanded transfers of minority employees in safe areas of Peshawar.

Diya went on to say that the representation of the minority communities in meetings held in connection with security measures can help bring drastic reduction in the incidents of subversive nature.

Meanwhile, SSP Operation Haroon Rasheed said that Dayal Singh’s murder was being investigated and suspects would be arrested shortly.

Talking to journalists in his office, he claimed that two assailants killed Dayal Singh with a 30-bore pistol after entering Dir Colony via the Ring Road on a motorcycle. He said after the incident, both the riders fled the scene through Bilal Colony, which is adjacent to Garhi Ata Mohammad near Dir Colony. He said that the deceased Dayal Singh was shot twice, once in the head and once in the chest. According to SSP, investigation teams are working tirelessly to arrest the murderers.

The attack on the Christian man was the third targeted killing in two days. Prominent Hindu doctor and eye surgeon Birbal Genani was gunned down in Karachi on Thursday. Police superintendent Zubair Tanoli said Genani received a fatal gunshot to the head.