The sister of Indian national Sarabjit Singh, who was attacked and killed by fellow inmates in a jail in Lahore, Pakistan, broke down on Thursday as she received his belongings, sent from Pakistansix months after his death.
Sarabjit’s sister Dalbir Kaur, his wife Sukhpreet, and daughters Poonam and Sawpandeep were handed over 36 items packed in three boxes at the Indo-Pak border by officials of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. Ms. Dalbir said she would begin work on a memorial for her brother next month near his house in Bhikhiwind and keep his belongings there to teach future generations about his sacrifice.
“Sarabjit’s belongings will disseminate a strong sense of patriotism among the youth of the nation,” Ms. Dalbir said. She said she also plans to erect a statue of her brother inside the memorial.
Apart from a copy of the Hanuman Chaalisa and the Quran, the family also received an old tea kettle, a water pitcher, a pair of spectacles, a shawl, a blanket, shoes, a wristwatch, some family photos taken in India, and a sealed small box.
On November 25, Pakistan had handed over the 36 items to the officials of the Indian High Commission.
In August, Indian officials formally requested Pakistan’s Foreign Office to facilitate the return of Sarabjit’s clothes and other belongings, which were retained by prison authorities in Lahore, to his family.
