When 45-year-old Sumana Bhat and her colleagues from the Timex Space Group set off on their reward trip to Kashmir, they never anticipated that the serene beauty of Pahalgam would be overshadowed by gunfire and tragedy. What was meant to be a relaxing getaway quickly turned into a nightmare, but a split-second decision—over something as simple as ice cream—would end up saving their lives, reported Indian Express.
Bhat, along with 16 others from her group, had arrived in Pahalgam to explore the lush meadows of Baisaran Valley on April 22. The guide had described the valley as “Mini Switzerland,” and the group eagerly set off on horseback. It was a picturesque day, with snow-capped peaks in the distance, and excitement in the air. But a brief stop for ice cream would delay their journey, inadvertently putting them behind the rest of the group.
“We were so excited to see Pahalgam,” Bhat recalled. “Our guide called it Mini Switzerland dotted with lush meadows and snow-capped peaks. We couldn’t wait to explore.” However, that moment of levity, when the group paused to enjoy their ice creams, distanced them just enough from the terrorist attack that claimed the lives of 26 people, including three residents of Bengaluru.
As the group lingered behind, unaware of the unfolding tragedy, their horse handlers began frantically shouting at them to turn back. They immediately retreated, unsure of what was happening. A tense three-kilometer trek back to their hotel ensued, filled with fear and confusion. “Every step was heavy with dread,” Bhat said. “We didn’t know if we were safe, but we kept moving, holding onto each other. More than the ice cream, it was the time that saved us.”
Meanwhile, another Bengaluru resident, Stanley Gnanam, was traveling with his family and friends on the same day. The families were on the final leg of their Kashmir tour, having already visited Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Sonmarg. After exploring Baisaran Valley, Gnanam’s group paused for lunch at a food tent around 1:50 pm, while two members, Madhusudhan Somisetty and his wife, wandered off for photographs. It was their decision to stay behind and sip tea that ultimately saved their lives.
“Suddenly, at 2:20 pm, we heard a loud shot,” Gnanam recalled. “At first, an old man told us it was customary in Kashmir to burst crackers for anniversaries. But soon after, continuous gunfire erupted, and people began running in panic.”
Chaos ensued as the group attempted to flee. Gnanam grabbed his son and a friend’s child, shouting for his wife and friend to run toward the exit. The valley erupted in panic, with people fleeing in all directions. Sadly, Somisetty did not survive the attack.
In the midst of the violence, it was the local Kashmiri community that responded quickly and selflessly, guiding the tourists to safety. “The local pony owners, food vendors, and shopkeepers were the first to act,” Gnanam said. “They didn’t think twice—they rushed toward us, helping us find shelter and guiding us to safer areas.”
After a harrowing escape, the survivors eventually reached a safer zone near a Central Reserve Police Force base, where local men provided them with water. “Their calm and quick thinking prevented an even worse situation, especially for the children in our group,” Gnanam said.
Back in Bengaluru, Gnanam reflected on the emotional toll the experience had taken. “The experience taught us to never take life or moments with loved ones for granted,” he said. “The simple joy of having everyone safely back together that evening felt like a blessing. We held each other a little closer, spoke a little more kindly, and appreciated the gift of being alive.”
As the people of Bengaluru grieve the loss of their loved ones, the incident serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the unexpected moments that can change everything.