Mardan Gurdwara Double Murder Case Solved: Serving Policeman Arrested

MARDAN( Nazrana Times) Ali imran Chattha 
Police have claimed to have solved the high-profile double murder of Sikh caretaker couple Jagan Nath Singh and his wife Gudi Kaur within 24 hours of the incident, arresting a serving police constable allegedly involved in the killings.
Addressing a press conference, Mardan District Police Officer (DPO) Masood Ahmad Bangash said the suspect, identified as Sher Shah, is a serving member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police. According to the DPO, the accused had previously been posted at the private gurdwara in Baboo Mohalla, Khwaja Ganj Bazaar, and allegedly harboured resentment after being transferred from the assignment around three years ago. Initial investigations suggest the murders were motivated by personal animosity and revenge.
The Sikh couple, who served as caretakers (sevadars) at the gurdwara, were shot dead by an armed assailant at the premises earlier this week, triggering fear and concern within the local Sikh community. Following the incident, police launched an intensive investigation and registered a double-murder case against unknown suspects.

DPO Bangash said investigators collected evidence from the crime scene and examined CCTV footage, mobile phone records, and other technical data to trace the suspect. He credited the swift arrest to coordinated efforts by police investigators and other security agencies. The suspect was reportedly taken into custody during a targeted operation.
According to police sources, the accused has been interrogated regarding the circumstances surrounding the murders. Authorities are continuing to investigate all possible angles, including whether the suspect had any links to a broader criminal or extremist network. However, investigators say no evidence has so far emerged connecting the accused to any banned organisation or terrorist group.
Some local reports stated that the suspect confessed during initial questioning, though police continue to scrutinise all evidence as part of the ongoing investigation.
Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs and Human Rights Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, who also heads the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), strongly condemned the killings and pledged full cooperation with law enforcement agencies to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. He said the Ministry of Interior and provincial authorities would jointly monitor the investigation and that Sikhs around the world had expressed grief and outrage over the murders.
Former PTI Parliamentary Secretary for Minority Affairs Punjab and Minority Wing leader Sardar Mahinder Pal Singh also condemned the attack and expressed hope that the swift arrest would lead to the successful prosecution of those responsible.
Police clarified that the gurdwara where the incident occurred is a private place of worship and is not administered by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB).
Authorities have indicated that a detailed challan will be submitted before the court after completion of the investigation. Security around minority places of worship in the area has also been reviewed following the incident.