Early Times Report
Jammu, May 29: The recovery ward in Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Jammu has now become the epicenter of unbearable grief. In a tragic turn of events, 38-year-old Rameez Khan, who had been battling for his life for the past 20 days, was informed today of the devastating loss of his 12-year-old twins, Zoya and Zain, students of Poonch Christ School.
Rameez, a resident of Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, was a victim of Pakistani shelling that shattered his family and left him critically injured. After remaining unconscious in the hospital for over two weeks, he gradually regained consciousness, giving his doctors and family members a brief moment of relief. However, that relief was swiftly replaced by an overwhelming sorrow as his loved ones faced the agonizing task of breaking the heartbreaking news.
His family, who had held onto the truth for days, fearing the toll it would take on him, finally gathered the courage to deliver the devastating revelation. As the realization set in, a chilling silence engulfed the room. Rameez’s choked cries—"My children... my Zoya, my Zain... why am I alive? I have lost everything!"—pierced the hearts of all present. His uncontrollable sobs left even hospital staff in tears, highlighting the depth of his immeasurable grief.
The twins, remembered fondly for their cheerful smiles and innocent laughter, were victims of the May 7 Pakistani shelling in their hometown of Kalaani, Poonch. Born together on the same day at the same time, fate cruelly took them away in the same way. Their parents, Rameez and Arusa Khan, had moved them to Poonch city with dreams of providing them a better future, away from the hardships of life near the border.
Zoya and Zain were students at Christ School, where their enthusiasm and bright ambitions had made them beloved among their peers and teachers. Their tragic demise has left a deep void, not only in their family but in the entire community.
As the nation grapples with the ongoing cross-border hostilities, the story of Rameez Khan stands as a heart-wrenching reminder of the human cost of conflict—one that words can scarcely capture. |
