SRINAGAR: As the nation grapples with the tragic loss of lives in the devastating terror strike at Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley, tales of undaunted bravery and compassion are emerging — offering solace amid sorrow. One such extraordinary story is that of Rayees Ahmad Bhatt, the head of the Pony Owners’ Association in Pahalgam, who has earned the title “Hero of Pahalgam” for saving the lives of five wounded tourists during the attack.
Bhatt, who was at his workplace when news of the gunfire reached him, didn’t wait for reinforcements. Despite poor phone connectivity, he took a decision that few would — to go alone into danger.
“It was around 2:35 in the afternoon when I received a fragmented message from our Union’s General President. The voice on the call was barely audible due to poor signal. So, without delay, I stepped out by myself,” Bhatt recalled. “As I made my way through the village, I met a couple of people and urged them to join me. Eventually, we became a group of five or six.”
As the group ascended toward the site, a horrifying scene unfolded before them — traumatized tourists running downhill barefoot, smeared in grime, and crying for water.
“We had moved about two kilometres uphill when we saw panic-stricken people rushing down,” he recounted. “They were disoriented, frightened, and begging for water. We managed to break open a water pipe running through the forest and gave them water to drink. We assured them they were now out of danger and asked them to stay calm. I handed them over to my team and sent them back down safely.”
Despite the terrifying situation, Bhatt didn’t stop. He continued forward, persuading other horsemen who were retreating in fear to return and help.
“I saw several of our pony riders coming down, clearly shaken. I managed to convince about 5–10 of them to head back with me. Along the way, we found more injured people lying in the mud. We helped them up, mounted them on ponies, and ensured they were guided to safety.”
On reaching the entrance to the tourist zone, Bhatt was met with a sight that would stay with him forever. “The first thing I saw was a lifeless body at the main entrance, where tourists usually begin their walk. I was stunned. I’m 35, and I’ve never seen anything like this in Pahalgam,” he said. “Inside the valley, it was even more heartbreaking. There were bodies lying around. Just three or four women remained — clutching us, begging us to save their husbands. We swallowed our emotions and went in deeper. By then, it was close to 3:20 PM.”
Bhatt wasn’t alone in the rescue. He was soon joined by Abdul Wahid, the union’s General President, and Sajad Ahmad Bhat, a local shawl seller whose powerful act — carrying a bleeding boy on his shoulders — had gone viral in the aftermath of the attack.
Roughly 10 minutes later, local police officer SHO Riaz Sahib arrived at the scene. Bhatt explained the apparent delay in the police response. “There’s no drivable route to that part of the valley. They had to run on foot. We locals know the hidden paths through the forest, so we reached faster. The officials had to take the longer route, which is why they came 10 minutes after us.”
Bhatt’s account offers a chilling window into the events of April 22, when armed terrorists launched a brutal ambush on tourists in one of Kashmir’s most picturesque regions.
The attackers, from The Resistance Front (TRF), LeT’s offshoot opened fire in the midst of the tourist enclave, killing 26 people. The victims included 25 Indian travellers and one local pony handler.
Despite the bloodshed, Bhatt’s courage lit a flame of hope. In a moment where fear could have paralyzed, he chose compassion over caution. His determination to save lives — with no certainty of survival — is now etched in the collective memory of a grieving yet proud nation.
In the days since the tragedy, Rayees Ahmad Bhatt has become more than a rescuer — he’s become a symbol of resilience, a reminder that even in the darkest hour, there are those who rise for others.
