Days after the beheading of a Sikh by militants in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan for not being paid ransom, the other two members of the community held captive were recovered by Pakistani security forces on Monday, officials said.
Notably, Sarjeet Singh and Gurendal Singh were reportedly kidnapped by militants of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan in January along with Jaspal Singh, who was beheaded on February 20 after his captors were not paid Rs 30 million they had demanded a ransom for all three.
Officials said the security forces launched an operation in the Orakzai and Khyber regions bordering Afghanistan early on Monday and rescued the remaining two Sikhs after some fierce exchange of fire.
“Some terrorists were killed in the fighting,” a senior official told reporters in Peshawar.
PTI adds: According to the Pakistan military, Gurendal was reunited with his family in Peshawar on Monday while Sarjeet had to be admitted to a military hospital after he sustained injuries in the shootout between militants and security personnel.
Ram Singh, the elder brother of Sarjeet, said doctors at the Combined Military Hospital had conducted a successful operation and removed two bullets from his brother's body. He said his brother was in a stable condition.
On Tuesday, 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 were 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.
