ISIS claims responsibility for killing of Sikh shopkeeper in Peshawar

In an alarming reminder of the minority persecution in Pakistan, a Sikh shopkeeper was fatally attacked in Peshawar, marking another episode of violence against the community.

The Islamic State (ISIS) terror group has claimed responsibility for this deadly assault.

The deceased, 29-year-old Manmohan Singh, was a cosmetics shop owner in the vicinity of Rasheed Garhi Chowk, not far from Gurdwara Bhai Joga Singh. As Manmohan Singh was returning home in an autorickshaw on Saturday evening, he was targeted by armed individuals on motorcycles. Injuries to the chest and head led to Manmohan Singh’s demise. A Sikh activist based in Peshawar shared his grief over this incident.

During Manmohan Singh’s funeral service, an appeal was made to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the global Sikh community. They were urged to take cognizance of the Sikh community’s struggles in Peshawar, as the community has repeatedly suffered from terror attacks.

The assailants, claiming allegiance to the Islamic State, justified their brutal act by identifying Manmohan Singh as part of a “polytheistic” Sikh sect, a claim they also used when claiming responsibility for another attack on a Sikh individual in Peshawar the previous day.

The Sikh community in Peshawar, originally numbering around 7,000, has seen over 800 members relocate to safer regions like Nankana Sahib and Lahore due to the constant threats and fear for their lives. The community continues to seek global attention and aid to address the unrelenting terror they face in Pakistan.