Terrorists opened fire in the tourist hotspot of Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon — killing 26 people and leaving several others injured. The victims were primarily tourists who had been visiting Kashmir from various Indian states but included a local guide who was slain while trying to stop the gunmen. Pony ride operator Adil Hussain Shah has since been hailed as a hero — even as his grieving family demanded justice and support.
According to an update shared by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Shah was shot dead while trying to snatch a weapon from one of the terrorists. He worked as a tourist guide in the area and had ferried visitors on horseback from the parking area to Baisaran meadow when the gunshots rang out. The CM also noted that the Pahalgam resident had been the sole breadwinner for his family — adding that he had assured the grieving family of ‘full support’.
“We have heard that he did not die just like that, he was displaying bravery… this was a person who tried to stop the attack, and maybe also tried to grab the gun, that is why he was targeted,” Abdullah told reporters after visiting his family on Wednesday.
His family has sought the help of the government following the death of their eldest son. He was the only breadwinner in the family and cared for his parents as well as his wife and children. The family also reiterated the need for accountability — not just for the death of their son— but for all the innocent lives affected by the brutal terror that continued to plague their region.
“My son was the only one who earned for our family. He went to Pahalgam yesterday to work, and around 3 PM, we heard about the attack. We called him, but his phone was switched off. Later, at 4:30 PM, his phone turned on, but no one answered. We rushed to the police station, and that’s when we learned that he had been injured in the attack. My son was martyred, and he was the only earner of our family. We want justice for his death. He was an innocent man. Why was he killed? Whoever is responsible must face the consequences,” his father told ANI.
(With inputs from agencies)