While Tasleem’s daughter Mehreen (18), Sajid (13) and Rulamin (6) died in the Samjhauta blasts, the five children in Pakistan are all below the age of 15.

Waqil Khan says there is little point in taking the five bodies to Pakistan. “Tasleem belonged to India, this was his home and those close to him are here. He had been in Pakistan for 20 years but perhaps it was Allah’s will that he die here and be buried here. He loved both Pakistan and India,” says Waqil.

By 3 am, Waqil has arranged a mini-truck. The hospital staff help him load the five coffins. It’s an eight-hour journey to Hathras. “I’m taking them home.”

Imam approached

PANIPAT: Panipat officials have approached a local Imam and identified a spot near the town where bodies which remain unidentified for four-five days may be buried. “It is possible that some bodies may remain unidentified as they are completely charred. The Muslims here have promised to help us bury the bodies if no one claims them. Later, if they are identified as Pakistani after DNA tests, the bodies can be exhumed and sent to Pakistan or wherever the next of kin desire,” said Sharad Kumar, IG (Rohtak Range).