Gagandeep Singh holds up a picture of his cousin Hardeep Singh, who died in the blast. Also pictured is his second cousin Gurprit Singh. Ruel Pableo / The National
Gagandeep Singh holds up a picture of his cousin Hardeep Singh, who died in the blast. Also pictured is his second cousin Gurprit Singh. Ruel Pableo / The National
Gagandeep Singh holds up a picture of his cousin Hardeep Singh, who died in the blast. Also pictured is his second cousin Gurprit Singh. Ruel Pableo / The National
Gagandeep Singh holds up a picture of his cousin Hardeep Singh, who died in the blast. Also pictured is his second cousin Gurprit Singh. Ruel Pableo / The National

Victims of Abu Dhabi's deadly Houthi attack named


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Hardeep Singh, 29, and fellow Indian Hardev Singh were two of the three men killed in a deadly explosion in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

The Pakistan embassy confirmed on Friday that Mamoor Khan was the third man who died in the strike, and that his body reached Peshawar airport on Wednesday.

An Indian embassy spokeswoman said the remains of two victims had been repatriated on Thursday.

Projectiles struck Adnoc's oil terminal in Mussaffah and a building site at Abu Dhabi International Airport in attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Speaking to The National, Hardeep's relative Gagandeep Singh, 33, said that his cousin's nickname among the family was “ladla” – meaning “loved one".

He had a short life but he achieved so much in this short time
Gagandeep Singh

“We were more than brothers. He was the youngest in the family and we all loved him. He is a very nice man. An honest man,” he said through tears.

“Till now we feel that he would call us. We do accept it and it is in God’s hands but this is very hard.”

Hardeep was one of three drivers killed in the blast. He had been working for Adnoc for two years when the explosion happened.

The attack on the civilian facility injured six and killed three. It was condemned by world leaders and diplomatic efforts are under way to add Yemen's Houthi group to the US list of terrorist groups.

  • Relatives mourn near the coffin of Hardeep Singh, who was killed in the January 17 drone attack in Abu Dhabi. All photos: AFP
    Relatives mourn near the coffin of Hardeep Singh, who was killed in the January 17 drone attack in Abu Dhabi. All photos: AFP
  • Punjab police officers and relatives stand near the coffins of Hardev Singh and Hardeep Singh, which were repatriated to India on Thursday.
    Punjab police officers and relatives stand near the coffins of Hardev Singh and Hardeep Singh, which were repatriated to India on Thursday.
  • Relatives of Hardeep mourn over the coffin at the Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport on the outskirts of Amritsar.
    Relatives of Hardeep mourn over the coffin at the Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport on the outskirts of Amritsar.
  • Two Indians and one Pakistani were killed in the blast on Monday. Six more people were injured.
    Two Indians and one Pakistani were killed in the blast on Monday. Six more people were injured.
  • Workers carry the coffin of Hardev Singh.
    Workers carry the coffin of Hardev Singh.
  • Relatives pay tribute in front of the coffin of Hardeep, a driver who was 29 years old.
    Relatives pay tribute in front of the coffin of Hardeep, a driver who was 29 years old.

Hardeep was one of the youngest killed in the blast. He was from Amritsar, Punjab. He married 10 months ago and was an only child. His father passed away two years ago. “His mother had no one but him,” Gagandeep said.

“There is no one she has in the world other than Hardeep. There is now no one. He used to support his mum.”

The UAE Government and leadership have offered their support for the families of the victims. Hardeep’s mother and family will now be provided for by the UAE Government and Adnoc.

Hardeep was an active and vibrant young man who loved sports and activities, and had celebrated his birthday last month.

“He was like a hero. He was very fit and tall. Back home he was captain of the Kabaddi team”

Hardeep celebrated his birthday on December 29, less than three weeks before the incident.

“I can’t believe that he died a month after his birthday.

“He had a short life but he achieved so much in this short time,” he said.

The last time Gagandeep spoke to his cousin, he said Hardeep wished him a happy holiday at the Indian festival of Lohri, which fell on January 14.

“I will never forget these words,” he said.

Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
  • George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
  • Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
  • Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
  • Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills. 
Hunting park to luxury living
  • Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
  • The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
  • Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds

 

THE BIO

Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old

Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai

Favourite Book: The Alchemist

Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail

Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna

Favourite cuisine: Italian food

Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman

 

 

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