[Outlook] Historic Hindu Temple Demolished In Pakistan’s Khyber District

A historic Hindu temple, known as the ‘Khyber Temple’, located near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has been demolished. The temple was situated in the border town of Landi Kotal Bazaar in the Khyber district. It had been closed since 1947 when the original occupants migrated to India. Over the years, the temple had been vanishing brick by brick.

Construction for a commercial complex at the site started about 10-15 days ago. Officials from various administrative departments either denied they were aware of the existence of the Hindu temple or claimed the construction was happening according to the rules.

Leading tribal journalist Ibrahim Shinwari, hailing from Landi Kotal, confirmed the existence of the historical temple in the main Landi Kotal Bazaar. He mentioned that the temple was partially damaged by some clerics and seminarians in 1992 following the demolition of the Babri Masjid at Ayodhya in India.

Haroon Sarabdiyal of the Pakistan Hindu Mandir Management Committee insisted that it was the responsibility of the district administration and relevant government departments to ensure the protection and rehabilitation of historical buildings of religious importance to non-Muslims. He stated that the archaeology and museums department, police, culture department, and local government were bound by the 2016 antiquity law to protect such sites, including places of worship.

However, Assistant Commissioner Landi Kotal, Muhammad Irshad, expressed ignorance about the temple’s demolition and said there was no mention of the temple in the official land record of Khyber tribal district. The official maintained that a ‘no objection certificate’ has been issued to the builder for the renovation and repair of some old shops in Landi Kotal Bazaar. The tehsil municipal authorities have granted permission for the commercial buildings or shops at all commercial and trade centres in tribal districts.

Source: Conversation with Bing
Historic Hindu Temple Demolished In Pakistan’s Khyber District.
https://www.outlookindia.com/international/historic-hindu-temple-demolished-in-pakistans-khyber-district