A 25-year-old Hindu farmer and community activist, Kailash Kohli, was shot dead in Pakistan’s Sindh province, triggering widespread anger and protests among local residents who say minority communities are increasingly vulnerable to targeted violence.
According to a copy of the police complaint, the killing took place on January 4, 2026, in Goth Daho, Peeru Lashari, under Tehsil Talhar in Badin district, where assailants allegedly approached Kohli in broad daylight and fired two bullets into his chest at point-blank range. He died on the spot.
Kohli was known for his involvement in local community issues and for advocating minority rights in an area where Hindus constitute one of Pakistan’s most marginalised groups. The attack, sources said, appears to be linked either to his activism or to broader religious tensions in the region.
Protests Break Out In Badin, Roads Blocked
The killing has shocked Hindu residents of Badin, who say they have long lived under fear of forced conversions, abductions and violent intimidation. Following Kohli’s death, villagers and activists launched sit-in demonstrations, blocking key roads and refusing to disperse until the attackers are arrested.
Demands for justice have spread across social media, where hashtags such as #JusticeForKailashKolhi gained traction as locals, activists and rights groups urged the provincial government to act swiftly.
Shiva Kachhi, chairman of Minority Rights Organization, Pakistan Darawar itehad, strongly condemned the killing, calling it a brutal and cold-blooded murder. In a post on X, he said the “blood of Kailash Kolhi demands justice".
According to a statement shared by him, the protest has been ongoing without pause, reflecting what organisers described as growing anger and frustration among residents. The demonstration, which began at 10 am on Wednesday, continued through the night and resumed into Thursday, underscoring the determination of the protesters.
Men, women, elderly people and children were seen participating in the sit-in, braving harsh conditions to press for action. Protesters said the agitation represents a broader outcry against what they allege is a system that protects the powerful while marginalising the poor and vulnerable.
Pattern Of Targeted Violence
Top intelligence sources told CNN-News18 that the murder fits into a recurring pattern of attacks on Hindu minorities in Sindh, where targeted killings are often followed by delayed or inconclusive investigations.
According to the sources, human rights notices are routinely issued by authorities in Pakistan, but convictions remain rare. This has fostered a culture of impunity that indirectly enables further violence against vulnerable communities.
The latest killing underscores Pakistan’s systemic failure to protect minorities, particularly in rural Sindh where attacks on Hindus—ranging from enforced disappearances to mob pressure and discrimination—remain persistent.
Source: News18