Raja Syed Rather
Ganderbal, Nov 19: Grief spread across the mountainous terrain of Babanagri Wangat in Kangan, approximately 56 kilometers from Srinagar, on Wednesday as the villagers gathered to mourn the 30-year-old labourer, Bilal Ahmad Sango, who was among thirteen people killed in the recent car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort.
Bilal’s body, wrapped in a white shroud, arrived from Delhi to the village, nestled among pine-covered slopes and rugged hills.
Hundreds of residents assembled, their faces etched with sorrow, trying to come to terms with the sudden loss of a man remembered for his humility and tireless dedication to his family.
Meanwhile, hundreds attended his funeral in his native village, with family and relatives wailing and mourning the unexpected loss.
“Bilal left home in 2005 to earn for his family. After returning in 2016, he went back to Delhi to continue supporting his loved ones. His whole life was spent trying to fulfil his family’s dreams,” said Atta Mohd, a neighbour.
Ghulam Ali recalled his last conversation with Bilal over the phone. “Just last month, he said he would return in January. “None of us imagined he would come back like this. The home feels emptier without him,” he said.
Villagers remembered Bilal as someone who quietly carried the dreams of his family on his shoulders while always offering help to anyone in need. “He was like a mountain stream, giving life and support wherever he flowed,” said another resident.
MLA Kangan Mian Mehar Ali visited the family and offered condolences, assuring them that the government would provide compensation and support. He noted that the Chief Minister had clarified that Kashmiris should not be treated as suspects in such incidents.
“Bilal had spent his life chasing dreams far from home, and his return, in a coffin, left a trail of grief, memories, and the silent hope that his family would be cared for as he had cared for them,” he said.
