Two policemen shared name, also destiny

It was destiny that brought them together — one from Jaganu in Udhampur district and the other from Karyala Bishnah in Jammu district. ...

It was destiny that brought them together — one from Jaganu in Udhampur district and the other from Karyala Bishnah in Jammu district. The similarity began with their names, both were Raj Kumar, and extended till their last moment: Both died in yesterday’s fidayeen attack at the Jammu Railway Station.

Working with the J-K Police, Raj Kumar from Jaganu was posted at the District Police Lines in Jammu. GRP’s Raj Kumar from Karyala Bishnah was deployed as PSO to SHO, Railway police station.

Their deaths also dashed the hopes, dreams of their families. Jaganu’s Raj Kumar was to get married on January 16. Today, his brother Rajesh, also with the J-K police, wept inconsolably. ‘‘He was the eldest son so our mother wanted to see him married. Now how will I tell her that bhaiyya has left us forever?’’ he said.

His namesake from Karyala Bishnah would have followed suit and got married on March 10. But he had already invited every friend in advance. One of his friends recounted how he had told his brother, serving in the Army, to take his leave in March so that he could attend the wedding too. The brother couldn’t reach for the funeral on time.