New Delhi, April 14, 2016: Kirpal Singh’s family had never thought that their wait will end like this. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met with the family and offered her condolences after news came that Kirpal was no more.
According to a statement by Govt of Pakistan, Kirpal Singh died on April 11 at 1455 hrs due to heart attack but more details are being awaited by the Indian government. This case is similar to Sarbjit’s case that shook the nation and brought to fore the plight of families whose children stray into enemy lands unwittingly.
Vikas Swaroop, the Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs wrote on Sushma Swaraj’s meeting the family:
Comforting a family in grief. EAM
@SushmaSwaraj meets with relatives of Shri Kirpal Singh, who died in Pakistan
Further he also wrote that:
Our Acting High Commissioner met DG South Asia in the Min of Foreign Affairs & asked for earliest possible repatriation of mortal remains.
This news has stunned India and many are asking some uncomfortable questions like why India and Pakistan do not have a mechanism to exchange such people. It is also important to state here that many senior journalists are debating that since Kirpal Singh lived quite close to the jail of Sarbjit Singh, so is it likely that he knew what happened to Sarbjit and hence was eliminated? Even Sarbjit’s sister Dalbir Kaur Singh said this while commenting on the death of Kirpal Singh.
There are many speculations going around but it will take some time before the nation would know what happened with Kirpal Singh. On its part, India is asking for the cause of death and also the post-mortem report to ascertain as to what exactly happened to Kirpal Singh and whether there were any foul play in his death.
Kirpal Singh, 55, died at Pakistan’s Kot Lakhpat jailand Pakistani authorities say that he had complained of chest pain post which he was admitted to a medical facility where he was declared dead.
