Yahya Hallare
Daijiworld Media Network - Bhatkal
Bhatkal, Apr 7: Mohammed Yunus Shabandri and his family, who returned from Aden, Yemen last week, have had a providential escape. Less than three days after they returned to their hometown Bhatkal, their flat in Aden was struck by a missile in the ongoing strife.
Yunus, his wife and three children returned to India on Thursday April 2 night after being rescued from Yemen, and were reunited with their families the next morning.
Just three days later, on Sunday April 5, a missile struck their flat. The impact of the strike was so severe that their flat was engulfed in flames and the balcony was completely shattered.
Speaking to reporters, Yunus termed the incident a 'lucky escape' for him and his family.
"It was a lucky escape for us. When I was in Aden, our lives were in danger. There were daily fights on the streets between the locals and the government forces. We were scared to step out of the house. Even small children on streets had guns in their pockets. The fight between rebels and armed forces continued even after we left the place," he said.
"As soon as the unrest began, we informed the Indian embassy and Indian government came to our rescue," he added.
He expressed gratitude to god and also thanked the Indian government for timely help and the Indian media for its support in bringing him and many other stranded Indians back home from the war zone.