Divided by Partition, brothers who met 75 yrs later are separated again — now by death

The brothers, separated in 1947 during India's Partition, had reunited at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan’s Kartarpur last year on January 10 with the visuals of the tearful duo hugging each other being splashed across publications globally.

Sadiq Khan (left) and Sikka Khan when they met at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan in 2022. (Archive)

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His family was preparing for a wedding in June when Sadiq Khan made a video call to his younger brother Sikka Khan. The 85-year-old had called from Faisalabad in Pakistan’s Punjab to discuss some details with Sikka, in Indian Punjab’s Amritsar.

“We were on video call. He looked fit and fine. I asked him to come to India. He asked me to wait for the summer to pass. I had no idea that it will be our last call,” says Sikka Khan, 78, trying to hold back tears.

Sikka is yet to come to terms with the demise of Sadiq Khan, who passed away on July 4.

The brothers, separated in 1947 during India’s Partition, had reunited at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan’s Kartarpur last year on January 10 with the visuals of the tearful duo hugging each other being splashed across publications globally.

Sikka brothers

The photo later came to symbolise several such reunions of families from East and West Punjab who had separated when Pakistan was carved out of India in 1947.

Then it was an invisible line drawn on a map that divided the brothers. This time, it is death.

Sadiq, who was 10 years old in the summer of 1947, had earlier told a Pakistani YouTuber how he and his father left his maternal home at village Phulewal in Bathinda, without his younger brother and mother, and found themselves in two different countries.

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Sadiq’s father was killed in the riots and he was brought up by his uncle at village Bogran in Faisalabad. Sadiq went on to marry and had children and grandchildren.

On the other hand, Sikka’s mother committed suicide and his sister died a few years after Partition. He never married.

The YouTuber, Nasir Dhillon, uploaded Sadiq’s vieo on social media in 2019.

A day later, he got a call from a person in Sikka’s village, but it took another two years for the brothers to finally meet, owing to Covid pandemic outbreak and after overcoming the paperwork for Sikka to cross the border.

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“Once again the border came between us. I could not attend his funeral,” says Sikka, who will now be visiting Pakistan next week to attend last prayers of his brother.

Dhillon confirmed that Sikka has been granted visa by Pakistan High Commissioner. “Two more persons have been given visa along with Sikka,” said Dhillon, adding Sadiq’s death was sudden.

“He had returned from his farm. He felt uneasy, He died while being taken to hospital,” Dhillon said.

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After their hour-long meeting at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, the brothers had visited each other in Pakistan and India, respectively.

Sikka went to Pakistan in March last year and stayed with his brother for some time. Sadiq Khan also came to India in June to stay with Sikka.

“I am thankful to God that he let us meet in this life. I am hopeful that we will be brothers in next life too,” says Sikka wiping tears.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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