SRINAGAR: In a display of unflinching bravery amidst unspeakable terror, a pony handler in Jammu and Kashmirโs Pahalgam lost his life while trying to save a tourist during the recent terrorist strike that left 26 dead.
The local man, identified as Syed Adil Hussain Shah, attempted to wrest a weapon from one of the terrorist in a desperate bid to protect a tourist he had escorted to the scenic but remote Baisaran meadow.
Shah, whose livelihood came from ferrying visitors on horseback from the parking zone up to the secluded highland, stood his ground in the face of gunfire. His valiant effort ended in tragedy as he was fatally shot by the terrorists, becoming the only resident of the area to perish in the massacre.
According to eyewitnesses, the attackers reportedly selected their victims based on their faith, demanding they recite a specific religious verse before pulling the trigger. The harrowing incident, which unfolded on Tuesday, has shaken the region and prompted calls for justice.
Back at Shahโs home, grief has turned to desperation. As the familyโs sole earner, his death has left behind aging parents, a devastated wife, and young children. His heartbroken mother, overcome with sorrow, mourned not just her son but also an uncertain future for the family.
โMy son left for work like every other day,โ his father Syed Haider Shah recounted. โWe heard gunshots around 3 pm and tried reaching him, but his phone was off. Later, the phone rang but no one answered. We rushed to the police, only to hear the worst. The people who did this must not go unpunished.โ
Shahโs sacrifice is being remembered not just for its courage, but for the humanity it reflected amidst horror. His family now awaits answersโand justice.
