For Rana Shaukat Ali and Ruksana Akhtar, the journey across the border on Samjhauta Express on February 18, 2007 was unlike the many others they had taken to meet relatives in India. The Pakistani couple, who lost five of their children in the blasts on the train that day, are now here to share their agony with family members of recent terror victims in India.
That night, Shaukat and wife Ruksana were traveling with their six children to meet relatives in Delhi and Ghaziabad. The blasts, which took place before the train reached Panipat, left 68 people dead. Among those killed were their five children — aged between 6 and 16.
In Delhi to attend the multi-faith prayer meeting held in Sarojini Nagar market on Wednesday to mark the third anniversary of the 2005 blasts, the couple found others similarly affected by acts of terror. “The prayers said here are as much for our children,” Ruksana said. On her lap were daughter Aqsa, two-and-a-half years old, who survived the blasts that night. While many of their hopes are pined on their daughter, there are also worries about who would handle their business afterwards.
A year and half since the blasts, both physical and emotional scars are still evident. It’s a nightmarish experience, every day, said Ruksana. “Every night I remember the blasts; I think of my children who still seem to call out to me,” she said.
Both Ruksana and her husband have long histories and relations with India. Ali’s father migrated from India in 1952-53, settling down in Faisalabad. Ever since, Ali, who now runs a shop there, has been a regular visitor to India along with his wife. This is the second time that he has visited India since the blasts — the earlier one was for the memorial function held in Panipat to mark the first anniversary of the blasts this February.
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