Gone too soon: Upper Dir loses two residents in Wagah blast

Anisa and Adil Khan from the district were among the 55 people who died in the Wagah border suicide blast.

UPPER DIR:

The grief in Gandeegar village of Upper Dir was tangible when Anisa Mukhtar was laid to rest on Monday afternoon. Anisa, who was in her early twenties, and 28-year-old Adil Khan from the district were among the 55 people who died in the suicide blast close to Wagah border in Lahore on Sunday. This death toll was reported on Monday afternoon and may rise.

Anisa was laid to rest in her hometown while Adil Khan from Ali Gassar village in Usherai Darra was buried in Lahore.

Anisa’s teenage sister Maryam also sustained severe injuries. She is currently being treated in a hospital in Lahore. A student of tenth grade, Maryam is said to be in critical condition, according to family members.

Anisa and Maryam were visiting Lahore with their family to attend a relative’s engagement ceremony. And just as most people visiting the historic city do, Anisa’s family too went to the Wagah border to witness the lowering of flags. Little did they know of the fate that awaited them.

Anisa died on the spot and her body was identified later that night. When her family members in Dir found out about her death, they rushed to Lahore and transported the body back to their native village. Hundreds of locals attended Anisa’s funeral.

The deceased woman recently completed her Master degree in botany from the University of Peshawar and was working in a private school. Her father Mukhtar Khan is also a government schoolteacher.

Adil Khan too is not the only victim in his family. His relative Ajmal Khan was also injured in the attack and is currently hospitalised in Lahore.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4^th, 2014.