Saved by 20-minute delay, tour group narrowly avoids Pahalgam attacks

“A 20-minute delay at the start of our trip saved all our lives, as we were just 20 minutes away from Baisaran when we heard the gunshots,” said Shilpa Sable, a member of the all-women family trip.

“We had visited the Martand Sun Temple in Anantnag and were heading to our hotel in Pahalgam. About 10 to 15 minutes into the drive, we realised a bag had been left behind, so we turned back to get it. On our way again to Pahalgam, when we were 20 minutes away, we heard gunshots, and the locals informed our driver of the situation. While we waited in the bus, we saw over six ambulances pass by and a heavy presence of military personnel,” Sable added.

Sable said that the army advised them to move away from the area and seek alternative accommodation. With the help of a family friend, they found a hotel near Dal Lake managed by Hilal Ranzu and Javed Akool.

Sable said the hotel staff and the group’s drivers, Adil Nazir and Ikbal Dar, played a key role in ensuring their safe departure from Kashmir. She adds, “They made our safety their top priority.”
Corporator Sheetal Sawant, also part of the group, noted the security arrangements. “There were army vehicles all around and proper safety measures in place,” she said.

The group left Kashmir on the morning of April 23, reached Jammu late at night, and boarded the Vande Bharat Express to Delhi the next day. They are scheduled to return to Pune by air on April 25, early morning.

Sable said, “The incident was unexpected and unsettling, but we chose not to panic. We focused on finding solutions and managing the situation calmly, which helped ensure everyone’s safety.”

– Aarushi Prakash is an intern with The Indian Express