Beheading of a Sikh to be taken up with Pakistan, says Krishna

New Delhi, Feb 24 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on Wednesday expressed India's concern over beheading of one of the Sikhs kidnapped in Pakistan, and said the matter would be taken up with Pakistan.

Making a suo motu statement in the Parliament condemning the beheading of a Sikh in the tribal areas of Pakistan, Krishna said: "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."

In his statement Krishna condemned the beheading of Sardar Jaspal Singh and expressed condolences to his family.

"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," Krishna said.

"His abductors, reportedly the Taliban, committed the grave crime when his family was not able to pay ransom money to the abductors. We express our sincere condolences to the family of the victim," he added.

Krishna also informed the House that Pakistan has ordered an investigation into the act.

"I also wish to inform this August House that the President of Pakistan has strongly condemned the incident and asked the authorities to investigate and take stern action against the kidnappers in accordance with the law," he said.

"He (Pakistan's President) has also directed that effective measures be taken to stop the recurrence of such incidents in the future," Krishna added.

"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 by unknown persons," Krishna informed he parliamentarians in Lok Sabha. (ANI)