Bodies of Pakistan Hijack Victims Arrive : Rites Planned Sunday for Huntington Beach Man, Grandmother

The bodies of Rajesh Kumar of Huntington Beach, the first victim of terrorists who took over a Pan Am jetliner in Pakistan last week, and his 80-year-old grandmother were flown Thursday to Southern California, a family spokesman said.

Satish Kumar Patel said a traditional Hindu funeral ceremony would be conducted Sunday in Westminster for his 29-year-old brother and his grandmother, Kuverben Patel. Representatives of the U.S. government and Pan American World Airways, as well as local officials, are expected to attend.

Relatives must formally identify the bodies, which arrived early Thursday on a Pan Am flight to Los Angeles International Airport. But Patel, 19, of Huntington Beach, said he anticipated no problems that could delay Sunday’s 1 p.m. service at Westminster Memorial Cemetery.

Voiced His Objections

Kumar, a newly naturalized U.S. citizen carrying his first American passport, was killed in the early hours of the Sept. 5 hijacking at Karachi International Airport. Other passengers said he was singled out by terrorists on Pan Am Flight 73 when he objected to their rough treatment of a flight attendant.

After he was shot, Kumar was thrown onto the airport runway, according to press reports from Pakistan. He was taken to Jinnah Hospital in Karachi, where he died in surgery.

Kumar was returning from Bombay, India, to bring his grandmother and aunt back with him for their first visit to the United States. It was the first time Kuverben Patel had ventured from her native village of Surat, outside Bombay.

She was one of 17 other passengers killed when four terrorists began shooting after the lights went out aboard the Boeing 747. More than 120 passengers were injured.

Her daughter, Gangaben Patel, 45, escaped and was returned safely to Surat. Satish Patel said Thursday that his aunt expected to make the long journey to California for the funeral.

Kumar, who had adopted that surname, was born in Kenya. He first came to the United States as a tourist on Feb. 19, 1978, then became a lawful resident alien on Dec. 9, 1980. He became a citizen last July 11. Until his death, he worked in the family motel business and lived in Huntington Beach with Satish; his father, Naginbhai Patel and his mother, Taraben Patel.