Kashmir's Deadly Day: A Mountain Resort Turned into a War Zone

In the heart of the Himalayas, a peaceful retreat turned into a nightmare. Gunmen stormed a resort in Pahalgam, a town often called the "Switzerland of India". Twenty-six lives were lost, and many more were injured. This was one of the deadliest attacks in Kashmir in recent years. The attack happened on a Tuesday afternoon. Tourists were enjoying the scenic views when gunshots rang out. Panic spread as people ran for cover. Some were hurt, and others lost their loved ones in the chaos. Children's screams filled the air, and confusion reigned. It was a scene of utter chaos. Among the victims were a naval officer on his honeymoon, a tourist guide who supported his family, and a businessman with his wife and kids. Most of the victims were Hindu men, but a local Muslim man was also killed. Some eyewitnesses said the gunmen targeted non-Muslims, while others described the shooting as random. The Indian government has not confirmed whether the victims were targeted based on their religion. Himanshi, the widow of naval officer Vinay Narwal, shared a heart-wrenching moment in a viral video. She recounted how one of the attackers asked her husband if he was a Muslim. When he said no, he was shot dead. The couple had married just a week before the attack. Himanshi's tearful farewell to her husband, draped in the Indian flag, was a poignant moment. The attack has left families shattered. Asavari, the daughter of businessman Santosh Jagdale, recounted how her father was killed for failing to recite an Islamic verse. Pallavi, whose husband Manjunath Rao was killed, confronted the attackers and was told to deliver a message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The grief is palpable, with relatives breaking down in tears as they speak to journalists. In Maharashtra, a family is grappling with the loss of three cousins who were killed in the attack. The sudden loss has left the family in shock. The mother of Syed Hussain Shah, a local tourist guide, was inconsolable. Her son was the sole breadwinner, and his death has left the family in a dire situation. Hundreds attended his funeral, including the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, who praised Shah for trying to stop the attackers. The attack has sparked protests and mourning across Kashmir. Shops and educational institutions were shut on Wednesday as a mark of protest and grief. The attack has once again brought the volatile situation in Kashmir to the forefront, highlighting the need for peace and security in the region.