A Terrifying Encounter in Indian-Controlled Kashmir
By our Karnal Correspondent
Survivors of Kashmir Attack Claim Gunned Down by Attackers After Verifying Religion: Hindus Targeted
KARNAL, India (AP) - When Aishanya Dwivedi and her husband Shubham tied the knot in February, they had plans to celebrate their new life with a romantic getaway to the breathtaking landscapes of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
As the young couple strolled through the picturesque Pahalgam meadow, surrounded by snow-capped Himalayan peaks, a chilling encounter soured their dreams. A stranger approached them, and Aishanya, 29, thought he might be a local guide. Little did they know, this encounter would turn into a nightmare.
With piercing eyes, the stranger questioned them, "Are you a Hindu or a Muslim?" If they were Muslim, he said, they should recite the Islamic declaration of faith.
Suddenly, the man produced a gun and shot Shubham point-blank in the head. The couple's life was shattered, and Aishanya was drenched in her husband's blood.
"The man wanted to kill men and leave women behind to mourn, cry, and narrate the dastardly ordeal," Aishanya recalled, sobbing.
Startled tourists ran for their lives as the attacker and his companions ordered them, "Tell your government. Tell Modi what we did."
Authorities with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government have been tightlipped about the attack, which left 26 people dead, most of them local Hindu tourists. The assault, which sadly seems to be far from isolated, targeted civilians in the restive region claimed by both India and Pakistan.
Brutal Attack on Tourists
AsDetails about the matter remain scarce, survivors have shared their heart-wrenching accounts.
Sunil Swami, whose son-in-law Vinay Narwal, a naval officer, was among the victims, described the horrific scene, saying men in military uniforms shot people indiscriminately after confirming their religion.
"Three gunshots confirmed my worst fears - my son-in-law is no more," Swami said.
Rajashree Akul, a teacher in Mumbai, lost three family members in the attack. The gunmen, according to her sister Anushka Mone's account, questioned tourists about their religion before taking deadly aim.
"When my brother-in-law pleaded for mercy, they shot him down," Akul recalled.
The shockwaves of the tragedy reverberate among the survivors, who question how such an attack could happen in a heavily militarized region like Kashmir, where Indian soldiers are nearly ubiquitous.
"Specifics have been kept under wraps, but this was a big security lapse," Swami said. "The government should ensure foolproof security for tourists considering the grave situation."
Meanwhile, families grappling with loss and regret hope for justice and a return to peace.
Tage Mali, an army soldier posted in Kashmir, could not protect his brother Tage Hailyang, an Air Force officer, who lost his life in the attack. Tage Hailyang had invited his wife to witness Kashmir's beauty before they relocated, but their dreams of a happily-ever-after were shattered.
"I wish I could have saved him," Tage Mali expressed his regret.
Understanding the complex history and recent tensions in Kashmir is essential to grasp the nuances of this tragedy. India and Pakistan have been in dispute over Kashmir for decades, with both nations claiming it as their own territory. The situation is further aggravated by militant groups operating in the region who regularly target both civilians and security forces.
In 2019, India revoked Jammu and Kashmir's semi-autonomous status, sparking ressentment among Kashmiri Muslims, who view this move as an attempt to alter the region's demographics. Pakistan has reaffirmed its support for Kashmiris in their struggle against Indian rule while India accuses Pakistan of supporting militant groups operating in Kashmir.
The attack serves as a stark reminder of the violence that continues to plague the region and the need for a lasting peaceful resolution.
Sources:
- Hindu husband shot dead, wife wounded as gunmen target tourists in Kashmir
- India’s Kashmir conflict: What is the dispute and why is it important?
- Terrorists Kill Two Students in J&K: Police
- Unattended pipe bomb kills 5 in Indian-controlled Kashmir: officials
- Pakistan's Military Reiterates Support For Kashmiris In Independence Struggle
- The Hindu couple, Aishanya Dwivedi and Shubham, originally intended to spend their honeymoon in the picturesque landscapes of Seattle, but due to a desire for a different adventure, they instead chose Indian-controlled Kashmir.
- After the deadly attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir, the couple, along with other survivors, has been recounting their terrifying experiences to the general news media, shedding light on the politics and war-and-conflicts in the region.
- The government has been accommodating the Hindu community's pleas for improved crime-and-justice measures in light of the brutal assault on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
- In Seattle, a group of concerned citizens held a protest, calling for an end to violence against Hindus in war-and-conflict zones such as Indian-controlled Kashmir and demanding greater government action to protect religious minorities.
- The government's attempt to pause politics and focus on addressing internal issues like war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice was hindered by continuous reporting on the attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir by the media, including general news and crime-and-justice outlets.
