'Sikh beheading issue being taken up with Pak'

Terming the beheading of a Sikh in Pakistan as a matter of 'deep and serious concern,' the government on 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', Union 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 (Asif Ali Zardari) 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 the Rajya Sabha by the minister.