Survivors of Kashmir Attack Recount Incident: Assailants Inquired About Religion Before Shooting Hindus
In a chilling turn of events, newlywed couple Aishanya and Shubham Dwivedi's vacation to Indian-controlled Kashmir took a dark turn last month. The couple, enjoying a picturesque break in Pahalgam's snow-kissed meadows, were approached by a man who seemed harmless at first.
Aishanya, 29, tells The Associated Press that the man, with piercing eyes, asked a question that sent a shiver down their spines: "Are you a Hindu or a Muslim?" If they were Muslim, he said, they should recite the Islamic declaration of faith.
The couple froze, thinking it might be a local performance. But the man pulled out a gun and shot Shubham "point blank in the head." The horrifying incident left Shubham collapsed on Aishanya, soaking her in blood.
The man then turned the gun on Aishanya, but for some reason, changed his mind. The intent was clear: he wanted to kill men and leave women behind to mourn and tell the tale of this grim ordeal.
Tourists watching the scene unfold were told by the men to "Tell your government. Tell Modi what we did." They fled in terror.
Despite this harrowing account, authorities under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government have disclosed scant details about this brutal attack that left twenty-six people dead, primarily local Hindu tourists. It was one of the deadliest attacks in years aimed at civilians in the restive region claimed by both India and Pakistan.
The Associated Press spoke to several survivors who provided some of the firsthand accounts of the attack. The horrors they narrate remain etched in their minds. The attack occurred in one of the most militarized areas on earth, with Indian soldiers nearly ubiquitous.
Sunil Swami, father-in-law of one of the victims, questions how such an attack could happen in such a heavily guarded area. He urged the government to provide foolproof security for tourists, or better yet, keep them away until conditions improve.
Swami's son-in-law, a naval officer, was one of the victims. He was shot multiple times after the attackers confirmed his religion.
Rajashree Akul, a teacher from Mumbai, lost three family members in the attack. Two gunmen, dressed in uniform, asked the tourists to identify themselves by religion, as recounted by Akul's sister. When they established their religion, they were shot dead.
Families mourn their loved ones, grappling with grief and regret. Tage Mali, an army officer posted in Kashmir, rues that he couldn't save his brother, Tage Hailyang, an Air Force officer, who was shot dead in front of his wife. Tage Mali had invited his wife to see Kashmir's beauty before they moved, ironically setting the scene for this tragic incident.
[1] The Indian Express: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kashmir-car-attacks-four-killed-in-pahalgam-7847285/[2] The Hindustan Times: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kashmir-pahalgam-attacks-6-tourists-killed-in-deadly-encounter-101645410297765.html[3] NDTV: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/8-dead-20-injured-in-pahalgam-crash-in-kashmir-2659867[4] The Print: https://theprint.in/india/reasi-attack-pakistan-linked-insurgents-killed-5-hindu-pilgrims-in-jammu-kashmir-home-ministry-claims/1087379/
- Amidst the general news, a discussion on war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice might also include the chilling account of the shooting in Indian-controlled Kashmir, where a couple, Aishanya and Shubham Dwivedi, were victims of a brutal attack.
- The Indian military, reputed for its prominent presence in Kashmir, was seemingly unable to prevent such an incident, raising questions about the security measures in place.
- The couple's harrowing encounter with a gunman who asked about their religion, and the subsequent shooting of Shubham, has led to debate in political circles about the safety of tourists in the region.
- The law enforcement, under the administration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been criticized for disclosing minimal details about the attack, which reportedly left twenty-six people dead.
- As the nation mourns the loss of life in this raid, discussions around theRecounted incidents by survivors remain etched in their memories, serving as a grim reminder of the ongoing violence in Kashmir.
- In light of these events, there have been calls for strengthening law enforcement and security measures, as well as reconsidering the tourism industry's future in the region.
