ONE of the victims of the IRA bomb in Docklands was buried yesterday following a private family Islamic service at Croydon mosque, south London.
Mr Inan Bashir (29), who ran his family's news agency outside South Quay train station, was killed with his assistant, Mr John Jeffries (31), when the shop was destroyed by the IRA lorry bomb on Friday night. Both men were single and lived with their parents.
Red and white carnations, spelling the words "brother" and "son", adorned the hearse carrying Mr Bashir's coffin, which was draped with the traditional gold and green Islamic covering, to Croydon mosque. Mr Bashir's elderly father, Shere, had to be supported into the mosque by his second son, Ishan. His mother was unable to attend the small private service because she was too traumatised.
Among the mourners were two anti terrorist officers who wanted to pay their respects to the Bashir family. Members of the local community also offered their support. "Inan was a young man and had all his life in front of him," said one family friend.
After a short service, Mr Bashir was buried near his home in Streatham, south London. "The family are in deep shock and want to grieve in private," said a spokesman for Croydon mosque.
The funeral of Mr Jefferies, who planned to be a musician, is expected to take place later this week. He lived in Bromley, south London, with his widowed father, John, who is being comforted by friends. After identifying his son's body, Mr Jefferies told reporters "I hate the IRA and I would like to shoot Gerry Adams."