Taliban militants have demolished 11 homes of members of the Sikh community in Pakistan's troubled Aurakzai tribal region after they failed to pay jiziya or a tax levied on non-Muslims. The houses were destroyed on the orders of Taliban commander Hakeemullah Mehsud, the head of the militants in Aurakzai Agency and a deputy of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mehsud.

The militants acted after a deadline set by them for payment of jiziya by the Sikhs expired yesterday. The Sikhs held a meeting at Merozai yesterday to discuss the possibility of leaving the area but were unable to reach a decision, media reports said. Though the Sikhs have been living in Aurakzai Agency for centuries, the Taliban asked them earlier this month to pay Rs 50 million a year as jiziya.