Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India]: Five tourists from Maharashtra lost their lives in the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, as per an official statement from the office of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
In response, Deputy CM Shinde contacted Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and requested the arrangement of a special flight to evacuate stranded tourists from Maharashtra. Minister Naidu assured that once a list of affected individuals is provided, the evacuation to Mumbai will be prioritized.
“Five tourists from Maharashtra lost their lives in the recent attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had a phone conversation with Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu regarding arrangements to bring them back to the state. During the conversation, Shinde requested Naidu to arrange a special flight to bring back the tourists from Maharashtra stranded in Jammu and Kashmir. Accepting the request, Naidu assured that once a list of the stranded tourists is provided, arrangements will be made to bring them to Mumbai via a special flight. The DCM’s request has been accepted,” the statement read.
Among the deceased, three victims were residents of Dombivli in Thane district. They have been identified as Hemant Joshi, Sanjay Lele, and Atul Mone, according to the District Information Officer of Thane. One of the victims, Atul Mone, served as a Senior Section Engineer in Indian Railways.
The district administration has launched support measures for the bereaved families and issued helpline numbers for Thane residents stranded in Kashmir.
In addition to the fatalities, several Maharashtrian tourists were injured in the attack. A statement from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ office confirmed injuries to individuals from Nagpur and Pune.
“A family from Nagpur was present at the site during the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. Upon hearing the sound of gunfire, they jumped off the mountain in panic, during which Simran Rupchandani was injured after slipping and suffered a fracture in her leg. Tilak and Garv Rupchandani were also with her. All three are safe. They have been contacted and are being provided with all necessary assistance,” read a post by the CMO on X.
In another update, the CMO added:
“Santosh Jagdale from Pune sustained bullet injuries in the cowardly terrorist attack in Kashmir and is currently undergoing treatment. It has also been reported that his wife was injured. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis spoke to their family members in Pune over the phone and assured them of all possible assistance from the state government.”
Earlier, Chief Minister Fadnavis strongly condemned the terror attack, declaring it a malicious attempt to derail peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Esi shaktio ko kuchalna, ye Bharat janta hai,” he stated, emphasizing that India will crush such forces and will not be intimidated by acts of terror.
The terror attack targeting tourists in the Pahalgam area of Anantnag district has triggered widespread outrage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also issued a strong statement condemning the attack.
“I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured person recovers as soon as possible. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected,” PM Modi wrote on X.
“Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice…they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakeable, and it will get even stronger.”
Following the attack, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security meeting and arrived in Srinagar for an on-ground review. He reiterated that the perpetrators “will not be spared.”
Meanwhile, Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police have launched a search operation in the Baisaran region of Pahalgam to track down those responsible. Delhi Police has also been put on alert at key public locations.