India Dream Ends in Tragedy: Pakistani Teen Couple Attempt To Cross Thar Desert For New Life, Die From Dehydration
A young couple from Pakistan, aged 17 and 15, tragically died in the Tanot area of the Thar Desert while attempting to cross into India for a new life.
(Representational image)
A minor couple from Pakistan, who embarked on a journey crossing the border that goes through the Thar Desert on foot, were found dead in the Tanot area. Eager to start a new life in India, 17-year-old Ravi Kumar and 15-year-old Shanta Bai braved harsh conditions, managing to cross into Jaisalmer. However, unforgiving environment ultimately proved fatal, with the couple reportedly succumbing to dehydration, according to a local activist, PTI reported.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Chaudhary said that the boy’s body was found under a tree. He was wearing a sky-blue salwar kurta. A yellow scarf and a mobile phone were also found near the body, with an empty jerrycan, possibly containing water earlier, near his face. About 50 feet away, police found the body of the girl wearing a yellow ghaghra-kurta and red-and-white bangles.
Both bodies appeared to be several days old, having turned black due to decomposition to the point that facial recognition was not possible. Pakistani identification cards were found near the bodies. The police suspect the couple died due to dehydration.
Pakistani couple had tried to secure Indian visa
According to Dilip Singh Sodha, district coordinator of Seemant Lok Sangathan, the boy hailed from Pakistan’s Sindh province and had applied for a pilgrimage visa to India nearly one and a half years ago. Sodha said when the boy lost all hope of securing the Indian visa, he, along with his wife, decided to cross the border.
“He wanted to live in India. He somehow entered Indian territory but unfortunately died in the hope of a better life,” Sodha, who circulated the details of the ID cards on social media and came in contact with the boy’s relatives in Jaisalmer, told PTI.
Sharing details of the arduous journey taken by both, Sodha said that as per his relatives, the boy’s bike was found nearly 20 km away from the border, and their bodies were found about 12-13 km inside India.
“It suggests that they walked in the desert for several kilometres. They had a jerry can which was found close to boy’s face. It indicates that they had run out of water and died due to dehydration,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jaisalmer Circle officer Roop Singh Inda said that the police have sought information from the local foreigners registration office (FRO) in Jaisalmer on the boy’s visa application.
