MUZAFFARABAD, April 23: Jogindar Singh and Kesar Singh had to wait for 59 long years for a reunion with their sister Rabia Bibi who was separated from them when they escaped this part of Kashmir during the partition of the subcontinent.

The Sikh family was living in what is now the southernmost Bhimber district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and when communal riots forced them to flee the area, two female members were left behind.

The two later embraced Islam, adopted the names of Razia Bibi and Rabia Bibi and married local residents. Razia and her husband died issueless six years ago, but Rabia bore nine children — six daughters and three sons.

Despite raising new families, the desire to see the lost relatives remained always alive on both sides. “We always missed and remembered her,” Jogindar Singh said, as he spoke to Dawn from Rabia Bibi’s home in Kasguma village, 14 kilometres on the outskirts of Mirpur.

“It’s a dream come true. We don’t have words to express the bliss we have today,” added the 76-year-old.

His 72-year-old brother Kesar Singh said: “It was my strongest desire to see her before I breathe my last,” said Kesar Singh who was accompanied by his wife Kanwinder Kaur, son Arjand Singh and daughter Satwant Kaur.

The reunion became possible only after the thawing of relations between India and Pakistan.

Over the years, Indian and Pakistani nationals have travelled to the opposite sides though on a limited scale, Kashmir however has mostly remained a restricted region for its inhabitants.

Bibi’s relatives travelled through the Wagah border four days ago after they had settled in Ludhiana and Amritsar in Indian Punjab that route was convenient for them.

Joginder Singh said that they had received the first information about their sisters in 1953 but given the tensions between the two countries they could never maintain a contact with them.

Two years ago, when another AJK resident visited India to see his Hindu mother, they contacted him to help them locate their sisters which he did.

“We learnt that Razia had died but Rabia was alive. Thanks to the peace process that materialised our long cherished desire to see her and enjoy the hospitality of everyone living here,” Jogindar Sindh said.—Tariq Naqash