Pakistani Teen Couple Perish in Thar Desert While Fleeing to India

A minor couple from Pakistan, who embarked on a journey crossing the border that goes through the Thar Desert on foot, were found dead in the Tanot area.

Eager to start a new life in India, 17-year-old Ravi Kumar and 15-year-old Shanta Bai braved harsh conditions, managing to cross into Jaisalmer. However, unforgiving environment ultimately proved fatal, with the couple reportedly succumbing to dehydration, according to a local activist, PTI reported.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Chaudhary said that the boy's body was found under a tree. He was wearing a sky-blue salwar kurta. A yellow scarf and a mobile phone were also found near the body, with an empty jerrycan, possibly containing water earlier, near his face. About 50 feet away, police found the body of the girl wearing a yellow ghaghra-kurta and red-and-white bangles.

Both bodies appeared to be several days old, having turned black due to decomposition to the point that facial recognition was not possible. Pakistani identification cards were found near the bodies. The police suspect the couple died due to dehydration.