By Reena Kumar
THE partner of a Labour candidate for the European parliament who was killed in a suicide attack in Afganistan, is running the Palestine marathon in memory of her lover.
Dharmender Singh Phangurha, 39, who was known as Del Singh, was one of two Britons who tragically died in the
Taliban attack at a restaurant in Kabul in January.
His partner Komal Adris and colleague Helena McGinty will take part in the 10k race as part of the marathon in
Bethlehem on Friday (11).
They will be raising money for the Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East (LFPME) and the Del Singh
Foundation which was set up to support vulnerable communities in developing countries.
The humanitarian campaigner who was a keen runner, was set to participate in the race, he had volunteered for LFPME
since it started.
Singh from Southampton, was due to stand for the South East in next month's European elections.
He was working as an international adviser supporting the Afghan budget department in Kabul at the time of the blast.
The 39-year-old had advised the Labour leader Ed Miliband on Israeli and Palestinian policy, and had travelled
regularly to Afghanistan.
Adris said: "Despite my resistance and laziness, Del stressed the importance of taking part to raise much needed
awareness about the Palestinian cause for justice and human rights. This year we will be running in memory of Del
and his beloved Palestine.
"It will be tough but we have followed Del’s marathon training regime of eating lots of cake so we should be fine."
Del and Komal took part in the first Palestine marathon in Gaza 2012, followed by the Bethlehem marathon last year.
A well respected international development consultant, Del had worked in many post conflict countries over the past
decade.
The attack left 21 people dead, including senior UN officials, Afghan dignitaries and restaurant staff.
Paying tribute to Singh shortly after he died, prime minister David Cameron said that he‘had given so much time and
dedication to troubled regions across the world.
"We will need many more brave people such as Del Singh to go on working with the Afghan Government to deliver for
the Afghan people," he added.
The blast occurred at the Taverna du Liban restaurant on January 17, which is popular with tourists and westerners.
The suicide attacker detonated his explosives outside the gate of the heavily fortified restaurant. Two gunmen
entered the restaurant and started shooting at people inside. It is believed they were eventually shot dead by
security forces when they arrived at the scene.
To sponsor Komal and Helena go to: www.lfpme.org/gaza-marathon
