Miracle escape for Pakistani family

CLOSE SHAVE: Syed Mohammad Siddique and his family missed the Samjhauta Express by a whisker.

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Keywords: Reunion, Family, Pak, India

New Delhi: A family from Pakistan had a narrow escape when they missed the Samjhauta Express by a few minutes.

It was a close shave for Syed Mohammad Siddique, a resident of Karachi. He and his family were to be on the unreserved compartments of the Samjhauta Express that were ripped through by suspected bomb blasts on Sunday night.

But as fate would have it, the family missed the train by a whisker, and lived to see another day.

Syed Mohammad Siddique says, “We missed the train by a few seconds. We saw it leaving. We heard of the incident at midnight.”

They had taken a taxi to the old Delhi Railway station from Sarai Kale Khan Bus Terminus as planned. But their taxi ran out of fuel on the way. Though relieved, Syed is now mourning the death of other travellers.

“Yes, I am relieved but I also sad to hear of the other deaths. They were after all my brothers, “Siddique adds.

With their visa expiring, the family has to return to Pakistan soon.

They stayed the night at the railway guesthouse but have now been asked to move out.

Already in transit, they are now caught in no man's land.