Boy, 2, who survived Kabul suicide bomb finally reunited with mother in Britain
A TODDLER dubbed the Angel of Kabul after surviving an airport suicide bomb has been reunited with his mother in Britain.
Two-year-old Mohammed Raza was separated from his family as Afghans scrambled to board mercy flights and escape the Taliban in August.
He needed multiple surgeries on his stomach after shrapnel ripped into his tiny body.
When The Sun on Sunday found him bandaged in hospital, he had been given just a 30 per cent chance of survival.
But on Friday he arrived here on an RAF flight supported by medics.
Mum Basbibi, 19, fought back tears yesterday and said: “I never thought this day would come.
“I am so grateful to The Sun on Sunday and British Government for finally getting him back to me.
“I never stopped crying when I was separated from my baby. Knowing that I couldn’t be there to help him was the worst.
“When the bomb first went off, I was terrified he had died but I was told I had to leave.”
Mohammed’s dad Miraj, 22, and grandad Sultan, 48, died and six family were feared missing in the blast which killed 187 people.
Basbibi boarded an RAF flight to Dubai moments after the bomb went off.
She reached the UK and has been staying with relatives Shakrullah and Mansoor, who were also on hand for the emotional reunion.
Mohammed landed at Brize Norton, Oxon, after being given the medical all-clear for the 11-hour flight from an undisclosed country.
Basbibi added: “I want to personally thank the Home Secretary for listening to his case and granting him a visa.
“Mohammed is still recovering from his injuries but it’s a miracle he survived.
“I am so happy that we can finally start to rebuild our lives — this time in a country that has already given us so much.”
Mohammed’s grandad Sultan, a taxi driver from Colindale, North London, was granted UK citizenship a week before flying to Afghanistan in August.
He intended to get the family to safety as the Taliban sent US and UK forces into emergency retreat.
Sultan’s son Shakrullah — Mohammed’s uncle — who also lives in London, said: “I miss my father every day but it was his dream for us all to share a new world together in Britain.
“He had so many plans for us and was so happy to finally become a Brit after many years working here as a taxi driver.
“We can’t bring him back but I am thankful we’ve been able to fulfil his mission of bringing Mohammed to safety. He would be overjoyed that Mohammed is now here with his family.
“I am so thankful to The Sun on Sunday and everyone who has worked to make it happen. We are proud to be part of this country.”
In a huge eight-week effort, the Home Office, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Ministry of Defence worked to support Mohammed’s recovery and return.
He came here on a mercy flight alongside other vulnerable people who fall under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP).
I am delighted he has arrived safely and now he and his family can rebuild their life here.
Priti Patel
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “What happened to Mohammed was utterly heartbreaking.
“I was determined he would be united with his family in the UK.
“I am delighted he has arrived safely and now he and his family can rebuild their life here.
“Throughout the Afghanistan evacuation, we worked night and day to support as many people as possible and Mohammed’s story demonstrates that our commitment continues.”
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss added: “I recently spoke to young Afghans about their experiences being evacuated from Afghanistan with help from the UK.
“I am proud the UK has been able to reunite Mohammed, an innocent victim of an abhorrent terror attack, with his family in Britain.”
Around 15,000 people were evacuated from Afghanistan during Operation Pitting.
Basbibi recalled how she got through the crowded and chaotic Kabul airport gate as Mohammed and six of her family were left outside.
She spent a number of hours trying to convince British soldiers to let them in to join her.
But during this time, the bomber struck — leaving Basbibi’s family scattered, dazed and confused.
The force of the blast hurled bodies into an open sewer while survivors were carted away in wheelbarrows.
Sultan died instantly and Mohammed’s father Miraj was shot dead in subsequent gunfire.
US troops responded by welding shut the airport gates and Britain said it was not admitting any more evacuees through its emergency processing centre.
It left seriously-injured Mohammed and other family members stranded.
I am proud the UK has been able to reunite Mohammed, an innocent victim of an abhorrent terror attack, with his family in Britain.
Liz Truss
It was feared Mohammed was going to die from his catastrophic stomach injuries.
Our defence editor Jerome Starkey spotted the youngster after a first bout of surgery at a Kabul hospital.
Weeks later, in a dramatic and dangerous escape, relatives got Mohammed over the border to Pakistan where he was treated in another hospital.
The stricken youngster then began his recovery while Government officials worked out a plan to reunite him with his family in England, following a campaign by The Sun on Sunday.
It is understood that the other relatives who were declared missing after the bomb were found safe and well.
They are now hoping to join Mohammed in Britain.
The UK continues to support the movement of British nationals and relocation of eligible Afghans.
Sources said that an unprecedented cross-Government effort remains underway to secure permanent accommodation so families can settle and rebuild their lives here.
