Pakistani Taliban claim killing of Sikh politician

The Pakistani Taliban on Saturday responsibility for the assasination of a prominent Sikh politician who was shot dead by motorcycle-borne gunmen near his home in Pakistan's restive northwest.

The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan in a statement said that sharp shooter of Special Task Force of TTP "successfully" targeted Sardar Sooran Singh in his home district Buner.

The TTP also threatened its "Mujahideen would continue to target the people creating hurdles in its mission." "Such activities would continue till the enforcement of Islamic system in the country," the terror outfit said.

Singh, the Special Assistant to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Minority Affairs, was assassinated in Pir Baba area of Buner district in the province when he was going back to his home after a routine walk on Friday.

Meanwhile, the last rites of Singh were held in Buner district. A large number of people from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and other political parties' activists attended the funeral.

Singh's murder was widely condemned by fellow politicians and rights activists.

Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, whose Pakistan-Tehreek Insaf party rules the restive northwestern province, asked his government to set up an inquiry commission to probe the assassination.

"Shocked at murder of PTI's KP MPA & Minorities Minister Sooran Singh. KP govt must immed set up inquiry. A great loss for all of us," Khan tweeted.

Singh was a doctor, TV anchor and politician. Before joining Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in 2011, Singh was a member of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan for nine years. He was also member of Tehsil council, Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee and Evacuee Trust Property Board.