WASHINGTON, Sept 30: The Sikh community in the United States has urged the Pakistan government to punish those responsible for attacking the birthplace of the founder of their faith in Nankana Saheb last week.

In letters sent to President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Council of Khalistan president Dr Gurmit Singh Aulakh said the Sikh community was "distressed to hear about the attack".

"However, I am pleased that your government is taking action against the 150 people involved. In India, incidents like this happen regularly and no one is punished," he said.

By taking appropriate action, Dr Aulakh pointed out, Pakistan had prevented the kind of communal strife that India fostered when such incidents occurred. He said pro-Indian government Sikhs like Bibi Jagir Kaur were using the incident to stir up trouble between the Sikhs and the Muslims "for their own nefarious purposes".

"Please make sure they do not succeed in doing so," he urged. Dr Aulakh said the attack on Nankana Saheb was a disturbing incident which should never have happened. He said he failed to understand why should students protesting against the shifting of their college have attacked the birthplace of Baba Guru Nanak.

The strong action by the government of Pakistan would send a message that the birthplace of Guru Nanak, his shrine, as well as his ideals, must be respected, said the Sikh leader.