Islamabad, Feb 22 (IANS) Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari Monday denounced the beheading of a Sikh man in Tirah Valley of Khyber agency after his relatives failed to pay a ransom to the abductors, a media report said.

Jaspal Singh and two other Sikhs were kidnapped from Chora Tanga area of Tirah Valley two weeks ago. The abductors had demanded Rs.20 million ($235,120) by Feb 20 for Jaspal's release. The other two Sikhs are still in captivity, the Online news agency reported.

The president, while strongly condemning the incident, asked the authorities to investigate the matter and take stern action against the kidnappers in accordance with the law, a spokesman of the presidency.

Zardari also called for effective measures so that such incidents do not recur in the future.