The Hindu : National : Sweet news for one, sadness for another

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Monday, Aug 09, 2004

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National

Sweet news for one, sadness for another

TIME TO CELEBRATE: Residents of Kot Bhai village in Punjab, offering sweets to Chotu Kaur, mother of Lance Naik Jagsir Singh, after the news of his release from Pakistan was confirmed on Saturday. — PTI

AMRITSAR, AUG. 8. The family of Sapper Mohammad Arif has very little to offer him when he comes back tomorrow after being in captivity in Pakistan for five years.

The two most important women in his life will not be there to receive him.

The girl he married just 10 days before going to Kargil has remarried and his mother passed away last year.

Guddi waited for him for four years, but seeing no hope of his coming back, she remarried.

Mr. Arif's sister-in-law is unable to express her happiness in words but does not know how to answer his questions.

But Jagsir Singh, who is returning along with Mr. Arif, will have a surprise guest at Wagah — his four-year old daughter, who was born after he strayed across the Line of Control.

His wife, Jaswinder, was pregnant when he left to take part in the war.

The Army officials have told the family members of the two Indian soldiers that they would not be handed over to them immediately.

The soldiers will be in Army custody for another week to complete their medical check-up and other formalities.

PTI

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