Two Sikhs rescued from Taliban custody in Pakistan

Pakistani security force on Monday rescued two Sikhs, abducted for ransom by Taliban, in the restive Khyber tribal region in northwest Pakistan.

Three Sikhs were abducted from the Khyber region on the Afghan border in January. The decapitated body of one of them was found last week.

A spokesman for Pakistani military said, the operation was conducted in a remote area along the boundary between Khyber and Aurakzai tribal regions on a tip off.

The two abducted Sikhs – Surjeet Singh and Gurvinder Singh – are safe, the Inter-Services Public Relations spokesman said.

He also said that many militants were killed during the operation and further details about the action would be provided soon.

He was of the view that Tehreek-e-Taliban was apparently involved in the abduction.

Gurvinder, 16, was reunited with his family, while Surjeet was admitted to a military hospital here as he sustained injuries on his back. . Officials said Surjeet was out of danger.

Gurvinder was taken to his home here in a procession , after he was brought to the city by security forces. A special blue turban was tied on his head and he was garlanded. Flower petals were showered on him as he walked through his neighborhood.

A large number of Sikhs joined Gurvinder when he offered prayers at Gurdwara Bhai Joga Singh. Sikh elders thanked the army for rescuing the two. The Sikhs are living in peace and had no enmity with anyone, they said.

Surjeet and Gurvinder were abducted along with another Sikh named Jaspal Singh over a month ago in the Khyber Agency. The beheaded body of Jaspal Singh was found on February 21. Khyber has long been a den for criminal syndicates involved in kidnapping, smuggling, drug trafficking and car-hijackings.

Criminals are also believed to have established links with militants in recent years.

- Asian Tribune -