PTI minority leader, five others arrested for murder of Soran Singh

DIG says Baldev Kumar hired assassins for Rs1m to kill KP cabinet member

PESHAWAR: The Malakand Police have arrested six persons, including two elected councillors, allegedly involved in the assassination of Sardar Soran Singh, special assistant to chief minister on minorities’ affairs, officials said on Monday.

Police arrested Baldev Kumar, a local councillor and leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Alam Khan, a naib nazim from Shangla, Baroz Khan hailing from Pacha Killay in Buner, Mukhtiar and Akbar Ali belonging to Swabi and one Said Jan in connection with the murder of Soran Singh. Soran Singh was killed by unknown armed men in his native town Pir Baba in Buner district on Friday.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Malakand Range Azad Khan told reporters that the main accused in the killing of Soran Singh was Baldev Kumar, who hired assassins for Rs1 million through his friend, Alam Khan.

“Baldev Kumar had developed rivalry with Soran Singh since the general election when he was ignored and ticket for the reserved seat in KP Assembly was given to the deceased. He has confessed to his crime and admitted that he hired assassins to kill Soran Singh,” Azad Khan told reporters at the Malik Saad Shaheed Police Lines in Peshawar.

The six accused in the case were also produced before the media. Reporters, however, were not allowed to question the accused whose faces were covered.The DIG rejected the claim by the militants that they had killed Soran Singh. He said as per the investigation the militants have nothing to do with the murder.

The outlawed militant group, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) through its spokesman Mohammad Khorasani had claimed responsibility for the killing by arguing that Soran Singh was killed for being a government representative.

Soran Singh, who was a popular politician, was provided police security following threats to high-profile individuals but normally he used to move without any guard. The police in a letter by the district police officer Buner a few months had requested Soran Singh to carry a gunman for his security due to overall threats. However, he was not accompanied by the guard when he came under attack. 

“He was given one cop by Peshawar Police and another by Mardan Police. But he used to roam around alone in Buner. Sardar Sahab never informed us while coming to his hometown like other cabinet ministers and high-profile individuals to arrange for their security,” said Azad Khan.

The DIG said the gang was busted through the cellular data of the accused that also proved as to who was in the area at the time of the murder and that who were in contact with the hired assassins.

The official said the accused were held during raids in different districts. He said they were yet to know if the amount was paid or not but it has been proved that the killers were hired against payment.

“Today we obtained 10-day physical remand of the accused. Detailed interrogation of the main accused would lead to more revelations,” said Azad Khan. PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, leaders of other political parties and fellow cabinet members visited the residence of the slain Sikh leader to offer condolences to his family.

Political workers of PTI and the youth remembered Soran Singh on the social media for couple of days, paying him tributes for being a true Pakistani and a humble human being. His picture while riding a horse and holding a Pakistani flag went viral on the social media after his tragic death.

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police Nasir Khan Durrani announced recommending the names of the cops who worked out the murder case of Soran Singh for top police awards. The police chief made the announcement while meeting a jirga of the Sikh community from Buner at his office.

The members of delegation included late Soran Singh’s cousin Roshan Singh, Inder Parkash, Amarnath, Satwaut Singh and Deepak Kumar. Jamaat-i-Islami District Naib Amir Muhammad Hanif and Pakistan Muslim League-N Tehsil President Jehan Akbar also accompanied the delegation.

“The members of Sikh Community lauded the Malakand Police for working out the case within no time. The members of the delegation announced holding a function in recognition of the performance of Buner Police,” said a press release issued by the Central Police Office.

Nasir Durrani told the delegation that with the active cooperation of the general public the police can achieve its target and ensure peace and tranquillity.

The IGP termed the assassination of Sardar Soran Singh a huge loss for the whole country, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding the people have been deprived of an affectionate, brave and sincere leader.