The “mini Switzerland” turned into a violent site of hinterland as a young boy recalls his encounter of the Pahalgam terror attack. After the tourists heard gunshots from a distance, they started to flee. Claiming at least 26 lives of tourists, Shailesh Kalthia, a native of Varachha area of ​​Surat city was shot to death in the attack. His son, Naksh, shared that the terrorists asked the tourists to separate in groups of Hindus and Muslims. Following this segregation, “they shot the Hindus and left”.

This eyewitness account has left the social media shocked as viewers are haunted by the reality minors had to face. Netizens have reacted calling for a move against terrorism and violence. Among the many eyewitness accounts that have surfaced, this haunting anecdote has sparked a debate online.

He told the ANI that, “We hid once we realised that terrorists had entered the area. But, they found us. We saw two terrorists. I heard one of them ordered all the men to separate into Muslims and Hindus, and then shot all the Hindu men. The terrorists asked the men to recite ‘Kalma’ three times… All those who could not recite it were shot”

The Resistance Front (TRF), a “proxy” group of the 26/11 mastermind Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), had claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack. Sketches of the terrorists were circulated hours after the attack and the Chinar Corps identified Saifullah Khalid as one of the perpetrators behind the attack.

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PM Modi broke silence on the attack saying that the terrorists will face consequences that will be harsher than they could have ever imagined. He added that every step taken will be to bring them to justice. As precautionary measures, security has been tightened at the coastal regions in Mumbai by the Navy and Coast Guard officials.

On Wednesday, the Centre took strong economic measures against Pakistan by closing the Attari Integrated Check Post (ICP) and putting the Indus Waters Treaty on hold. Additionally, Pakistani nationals in India were ordered to leave within 48 hours. The bodies of the victims have been returned to their families, with the Jammu and Kashmir government announcing ₹10 lakh compensation for each bereaved family.

The Pahalgam Terror attack has taken at least 26 lives and severely injured 10 individuals. As tourists grapple at the lack of flights available, a special train has been made operational between Jammu and Delhi. Tourism being one of Jammu-Kashmir’s dominating industry is now under a cautious lens. Uprooting livelihoods, breaking families and causing harm to life, this move of terrorism has caused a permanent scar for many.