What was once a serene spring afternoon in the scenic town of Pahalgam turned into an unimaginable nightmare on Tuesday, when a brutal terrorist attack tore through the quiet valley, claiming innocent lives—including that of Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a local horse rider and the sole breadwinner of his family.
Adil, a man known in his community for his dedication and quiet strength, had left home that morning like any other day—to earn a living for his parents, wife, and children. By evening, he had become one of the many innocent victims of an indiscriminate act of terror.
“He Was Our Only Support”
Speaking to media through tears and tremors, Adil’s father, Syed Haider Shah, recalled the chilling sequence of events that followed the news of the attack:
“We tried calling him after hearing about the incident, but his phone was off. Around 4:30 PM, it turned on, but no one picked up. We rushed to the police station… and then they told us—my son was martyred. He was our only support.”
Adil’s mother, barely able to speak between sobs, added:
“He used to ride horses and bring home whatever little he could. Now there is no one… What will we do without him?”
A Family Left With Nothing
Adil was not just a son—he was a father, a husband, and the foundation of his family. His uncle, Shaheed Bug Singh, captured the profound personal loss:
“He had children. He had a wife. They were already struggling. Now, they’ve lost their everything. The government must help them—they have no one left to turn to.”
In a moving appeal to the administration, a relative, Mohiddin Shah, said:
“This isn’t just a loss for their family—it’s a stain on our Kashmiriyat. Adil was poor. He was innocent. This should never happen again. The killers must be held accountable.”
Kashmiriyat in Mourning
Adil’s death has become a symbol of the senselessness of terror and the toll it takes not just on tourists but also on the local community, which depends heavily on peace and tourism for survival. His story stands as a solemn reminder that the valley bleeds from within too, with families like Adil’s carrying the burden of loss and despair.
A Call for Justice, A Plea for Support
As the nation mourns the larger tragedy of the Pahalgam attack, Adil’s family has made a simple, urgent plea—for justice and survival.
“Why was he killed?” his father asked.
“He did nothing wrong. He went out to work and never came back.”
They now seek help from the government, not only for financial relief but for the assurance that no more innocent Kashmiris fall victim to this violence.