We didn’t look back, just ran: Nagpur couple recalls Pahalgam terror attack escape | VIDEO
Srinagar: A deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam on Tuesday left 26 people dead, including two foreigners, when militants opened fire at a group of tourists in the scenic meadows of Baisaran. Among the survivors was a couple from Nagpur, Maharashtra, who narrowly escaped the deadly assault. The couple shared their chilling account of the terrifying moments, painting a picture of chaos and desperation.
“We had just left the area when the shooting began,” the husband said, his voice trembling. “We could hear the firing for a long time. The gate was narrow, about just 4 feet wide, and the crowd was huge. Everyone was aiming to get out as quickly as possible. It was chaos.”
The couple described how they were pushed and shoved by the crowd as they tried to flee. "We were running for our lives, falling on people, trying not to look back," the wife added. "My son and husband pulled me up, trying to keep me on my feet as we made our way out. It felt like the whole world was collapsing around us."
In the midst of the panic, the wife suffered a fracture while trying to escape. “My wife got hurt, and I immediately thought of making my family safe. My only goal was to get us out of there and to safety. We’re now heading back, as the doctor advised her to take complete bed rest,” the husband said, visibly distressed.
The couple described the terrifying scene around them, where an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 people were gathered, many of them tourists, including small children. “We didn’t turn back or look at who was firing. We were just focused on getting out of there alive,” the wife added.
The attack took place in Baisaran, a popular tourist spot near Pahalgam, which is known for its expansive meadows surrounded by dense forests. Eyewitnesses reported hearing gunshots as militants entered the area and began firing at the tourists, who were enjoying pony rides, dining, and taking in the picturesque surroundings. The attack resulted in the deaths of 26 people, while at least 20 others were injured, some critically.
As news of the terror attack targeting tourists in Kashmir spread, The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, claimed responsibility.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, locals in Srinagar and Baramulla organised candlelight protests to express their condemnation of the attack. Fayaz Ahmad Bhatt, General Secretary of Mecca Market in Srinagar, was seen leading the protests, saying, “We condemn this attack against humanity.”
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah briefed Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the ongoing situation, with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and other senior officials also present. Amit Shah rushed to Srinagar to assess the security situation and coordinate the response.
The terror attack prompted heightened security measures across India, with Delhi Police stepping up surveillance at tourist spots and other key locations in the capital.
(agency inputs)