Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 16: The family of a labourer from Kangan in Ganderbal district today appealed to authorities to facilitate the return of his body after he was killed in Delhi blast.
The deceased, identified as Bilal Ahmad Sangu, had been working in Delhi for several years and was expected to return home by the end of this year.
His family learned of his death only after a video circulating on Facebook mentioned him, along with his photograph, as one of the victims.
“We saw a video on Facebook with my brother’s name. It said he had died in the blast. Until then, we had no idea,” said Rafaqat Ahmad, brother of the deceased.
“We had been trying his phone for a long. We even approached the police but were told they would inform us if anything came up. We thought he might have misplaced his phone.”
Rafaqat said Bilal had been working outside Kashmir since childhood and was planning to return home this year. “We were not expecting this. We just want his body to be sent home,” he added.
A neighbour, Ishfaq Ahmad, said the family matched the images circulating online and confirmed the identity.
“We saw the photos on social media and verified them with the family. It turned out to be him; I heard he had been working there for the last six years,” he said.
He said that the family is financially strong to travel to Delhi and must be provided the assistance.
“We request our MP and the MLA to help the family and ensure the body is brought back. They cannot travel to Delhi themselves.”
Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ganderbal Khalil Ahmad Poswal confirmed that the family approached police after suspecting Bilal’s death in the Delhi blast.
“A family from Sumbal Bala, Kangan, relatives of Bilal Ahmad Sangu, approached Kangan Police Station on Saturday after seeing his name and photographs on social media,” Poswal told reporters.
“They informed us that he had gone to Delhi and had been working there since 2019.”
The SSP said Ganderbal Police immediately coordinated with Delhi Police to verify the information. “We tied up with Delhi Police, and they corroborated that a body matching the details is indeed there,” he said.
He added that the family has been guided through the necessary legal and procedural steps.
“We have provided them with the contact number of Kotwali Police Station in Delhi. Since the case is under the NIA, we have guided them accordingly. Whatever assistance is required from our side will be fully provided.”
SSP Poswal said that once the identity is fully confirmed and the formalities are completed, police will facilitate transportation of the body back to Kangan.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
