Sikh beheading issue being taken up with Pak: Govt

New Delhi, Feb 24 (PTI) Terming the beheading of a Sikh
in Pakistan as a matter of "deep and serious concern", the
Indian government Wednesday said the issue is being taken up
appropriately with the Pakistani side.
Making a suo motu statement in the Lok Sabha on
'beheading of a Sikh in Pakistan', Indian External Affairs
Minister S M Krishna said, "I rise to strongly condemn the
beheading of Sardar Jaspal Singh in the tribal areas of
Pakistan. This barbaric and heinous crime is deplorable in the
strongest possible terms.
"This incident of kidnapping and killing of Sikhs in
Pakistan is a matter of deep and serious concern to the
government, and is being taken up appropriately with the
government of Pakistan," he said.
The President of Pakistan has strongly condemned the
incident and asked the authorities to investigate and take
stern action against kidnappers in accordance with the law,
the Minister told the House.
"He (the Pakistan President) has also directed that
effective measures be taken to stop the recurrence of such
incidents in the future," Krishna said.
He said the abductors, reportedly the Taliban, committed
the crime when Singh's family was not able to pay a ransom.
"The President of Pakistan has also directed the
authorities in Pakistan to take swift action for the release
of a Hindu, kidnapped on February 19, 2010 by unknown
persons," Krishna added.
An identical copy of the statement was laid in theRajya
Sabha (Upper House of Indian Parliament) by the minister. PTI