Bishan Dass, whose son Robin Singh was kidnapped from Peshawar for a ransom of Rs10 million ($125,000), is pleading for solid diplomatic efforts and help for his son's release.

According to reports, terrorists kidnapped at least three Sikhs, including Robin Singh, from the northwest region and have beheaded one of them.

This week security forces launched an operation in Khyber Agency and rescued two of them. However, Dass says Robin Singh is still in the terrorists' hands.

"It's good that security forces have recovered two of them, but my son is still in their captivity," Dass told Focus.

He said a different group might have kidnapped Robin Singh.

The desperate father last week also started a campaign to raise $125,000 to pay as ransom for his son's release.

"It's very difficult to raise that big an amountâ?¦ by Saturday people had donated only $251.

"We don't know what to do except pray and ask the Canadian government to mobilize diplomatic efforts for Robin's release," said Dass. "Please do help me release my sonâ?¦ they are cruel and have already killed a young man. I am so worried about my son."

Dass said the terrorists kidnapped his son Robin Singh, an IT professional, on Feb 12 and are now demanding C$125,000 as ransom.

Dass said his two sons Rajan Singh and Robin Singh are residents of Peshawar from where Robin went missing Feb 12 while returning from work.

"Four days later my older son Rajan received a call in which the caller said: 'Your brother is with us.' Two days later Rajan received another call in which the kidnappers demanded Pak Rs10 million for Robin's release.

The two rescued Sikhs are Gurwandir Singh and Sarabjit Singh.

Malhi statement

In a related development, Gurbux Singh Malhi, MP, Bramalea - Gore - Malton, strongly condemned the kidnappings and beheadings as an "intolerable human rights tragedy".

He also urged action from the Canadian government.

Malhi was reacting to recent reports highlighting that minority groups living in the Orakzai and Khyber regions of Pakistan have come under increasing pressure as the influence of the Taliban has grown in the area. Minorities in the area have been subjected to Jaziya (an Islamic tax that is collected from non-Muslims), and two Pakistani Sikhs have been beheaded, weeks after being kidnapped in separate incidents.

Malhi said in an official statement: "I strongly condemn this inhuman act. The ongoing human right violations that are affecting the minorities - most recently the Sikh community - in north-western Pakistan require the immediate attention of the Canadian Government.

"Innocent lives are senselessly taken as minorities are not provided with the protection they need against the atrocities of Taliban. The Government of Canada must take the issue with the Government of Pakistan so that appropriate protection is provided to minority groups, and also ensure that the refugee applications from Pakistan's affected minorities are speeded up.

"The violation of basic human rights such as the freedom of religion and atrocities against those steadfast in their beliefs serve as a sobering reminder of our collective obligation towards those who desperately need our help. Allowing this human rights tragedy to continue is intolerable," the statement said.

CSA urges Robin Singh release

The Canadian Sikh Association has condemned the killing of Jaspal Singh and the abduction of three men belonging to the Sikh community in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan.

The CSA has called on the executive branches of the Pakistani government - the Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Raza Gilani, Pakistani Minister for Minority Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti, and The High Commissioner of Pakistan to Canada - to take immediate action in bringing those responsible for this "heinous and cowardly act" to justice.

It also called on Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon to apply diplomatic pressure to ensure the safe return of Robin Singh who has recently been abducted.

Members of the CSA executive will continue to urge Pakistani government ministers and diplomats, to provide assurance for safety of the large Sikh community still living in Pakistan, it said.

Director and press secretary Baljit Singh Ghuman stated: "Whether these acts were for obtaining Jaziya or for forcible conversion to Islam, the Canadian Sikh Association strongly condemns this incident and appeals to Taliban groups to stop all offensive against minority groups in Pakistan."