Pahalgam Horror: 7 Heart-Wrenching Stories From The Devastating Terror Attack In J&K | (Photo Courtesy: X/@MonaChaudhryy)
Srinagar: In one of the deadliest terror attacks in recent years, 26 people were gunned down in a brutal assault by terrorists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. What was meant to be a peaceful getaway for families and couples turned into a nightmare when militants opened fire, reportedly targeting victims based on their religion.
The massacre, which unfolded in broad daylight at Baisaran meadow, a popular tourist spot, left the entire nation reeling. Here are seven such tragic stories of the lives lost:
1. Newlywed Navy Officer Killed on Leave
A picture from Vinay’s wedding surfaced on social media. | (Photo Courtesy: X/@MonaChaudhryy)
26-year-old Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, a native of Haryana, had just gotten married on April 16. Posted in Kochi, he was on leave when he was shot dead in the attack. “He had gone for a short vacation after his wedding,” defence officials told ANI.
2. Man Asked to Prove Religion Before Being Shot
Kanpur resident Shubham Dwivedi, 28, was killed in front of his wife when gunmen asked them to recite the Kalma. “They were eating Maggi when two men approached and asked if they were Muslim,” his cousin told India Today. Failing to answer, Shubham was shot in the head. “Tell your government what we have done,” the terrorists reportedly told his wife.
A video from their stay in the valley a night before the tragic incident took place, surfaced on social media.
3. Pune Businessman Executed After Refusing to Recite Verse
A picture of the victim was found from his social media handle. | (Photo Courtesy: X/@MonaChaudhryy)
Santosh Jagdale was killed at point-blank range after failing to recite the Kalma. His daughter Asavari described how terrorists singled out male tourists. “They blamed us for supporting Modi,” she told TOI. Her uncle was also shot, and several others were killed in front of them as no help arrived for nearly 20 minutes.
4. Shivamogga Man Slain Before Wife and Son
Manjunath from Karnataka was killed in broad daylight. His wife, Pallavi, told India Today, “They shot him in front of me and our son. When I asked them to shoot me too, they said, ‘Go tell this to Modi’.”
Pallavi alleged that the terrorists deliberately targeted Hindus. “Three to four people attacked us. I told them – kill me too, you’ve already killed my husband. One of them said, ‘I won’t kill you. Go tell this to Modi,’” she told the publication.
A video of the couple enjoying a boat ride from a day before the attack took place, surfaced on social media.
5. IB Officer from Bengal Executed
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Intelligence Bureau officer Manish Ranjan was on a family trip when his vehicle was stopped. Terrorists let his wife and son go but shot him at close range, TOI reported. He was from Bengal’s Purulia district and posted in Hyderabad.
6. Indore Man Killed After Identifying as Christian
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Sushil Nathaniel, from Indore, was forced to kneel and recite Kalma. When he identified as Christian, he was shot multiple times. His daughter, a bank officer, was also injured. His brother revealed that Sushil had hidden his wife to protect her before facing the attackers.
7. Terrorists Fired on Tourists Enjoying a Picnic
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“We were having bhelpuri (a snack made of puffed rice) when a man came and shot my husband,” a woman recounted. She further revealed that the assailants reportedly emerged from the nearby woods and began firing indiscriminately at tourists who had been enjoying picnics and horse rides in Baisaran, a scenic area often referred to as the “mini Switzerland” of Pahalgam.
