Click to play videoMehrana (Haryana): Twenty-three victims of the Samjhauta Express blasts, 20 of them unidentified and most of whom are believed to be from Pakistan, were laid to rest in this village not very far from the place where the explosions took place.
Six days after their journey was cut short by the deadly blasts, 23 victims were buried in a graveyard in this village, five kilometres from Panipat, following Islamic rituals.
Muslim religious leaders, and relatives of 'missing' passengers from India and Pakistan were present at the mass burial
Islamic scholars recited the Namaaz-i-Janaaza (prayers in memory of the dead) after which the bodies, wrapped in white, were lowered in graves.
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda placed wreaths on the bodies.
The graves of the unidentified bodies were distinguishable from each other by pillars bearing the numbers that had been assigned to them at the mortuary.
The four identified victims, who were buried here included Pakistani nationals Shabir Ahmed, his wife Sameena, son Shahbaz and brother-in-law Fakruddin.
Among others attending the funeral were Pakistan High Commission counsellor Mukhtar Hussain, officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, All India Anti-Terrorist Front chairman M S Bitta and Indian National Lok Dal leader Abhay Chautala.
A large number of people from the village and nearby areas had also gathered at the graveyard to pay homage to the dead.
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