Pahalgam terror attack: Two from Maharashtra among victims; one was part of group of 37 tourists from Panvel

According to local administration, two tourists from Maharashtra sustained injuries in the attack. They have been identified as Manik Patel from Panvel and S Bhalchandra Rao.

Desale was among the 37 tourists who had gone on a holiday to Jammu & Kashmir with Nisarg Paryatan Tours, a tour organisation based in Panvel.

Pramod Oak, the owner of the agency, told The Indian Express that another tourist part of the group was injured while the 35 others were relocated to a safe place.

“According to the reports from my local partners in Kashmir, Desale was killed in the attack and another tourist from the group sustained injuries. The rest of the 35 members of the group are safe and have been shifted to a safe location,” Oak informed.

Desale was among the 37 tourists who had gone on a holiday to Jammu & Kashmir with Nisarg Paryatan Tours, a tour organisation based in Panvel (Express Photo/Narendra Vaskar)

Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said that a Nagpur family was trapped in the attack as well. As per the CMO, the members of the family jumped off a hill while trying to flee upon hearing the gunshots. One of them, Simran Rupchandani, suffered a fracture on her leg while falling but her family members Tilak and Garv Rupchandani are safe.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep anguish over the incident in a post on X.

“Two tourists from Maharashtra have unfortunately lost their lives — Dilip Desale and Atul Mone. Two others — Manik Patel from Panvel and S. Bhalchandra Rao — have been injured. Fortunately, both are in stable condition,” he wrote.

“I strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist attack that took place in Pahalgam. We stand in solidarity with the families and loved ones of the victims in their grief,” he added, stating he had spoken to Divisional Commissioner Vijay Kumar Bidhuri for updates.

The attack took place in the afternoon at Baisaran valley – it’s an off-road meadow a little over 6 km from Pahalgam – which was packed with tourists.