‘Reciting Kalma Saved My Life’: Assam Professor Recounts Pahalgam Horror

Srinagar (The Uttam Hindu): At least 26 people were killed and 17 others were injured in a brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The terrorists targeted tourists visiting the Besaran Valley and fired bullets at them on the basis of their religion. Many eyewitnesses said that the terrorists first asked the tourists about their religion and asked them to recite 'Kalma' for identification.

Some survivors of the attack have shared heartbreaking experiences. The victims said that the terrorists spared those who recited Kalma, while those who could not were shot. Debashish Bhattacharya, associate professor of Bengali department at Assam University, miraculously escaped the attack. Speaking to News18, Bhattacharya said that when the attack happened, he was lying under a tree with his family. He said, "I heard people around me reciting Kalma. Hearing this, I also started reciting."

Bhattacharya further said, "After some time, a terrorist came towards me and shot a person lying next to me in the head. After this, the terrorist looked at me and asked what are you doing? I started reciting Kalma faster. After this, for some reason, he turned and went away from there." As soon as he got a chance, the professor, along with his wife and son, hid and left from there. After walking for about two hours and following the footprints of the horses, they managed to reach a safe place. Bhattacharya said that he still cannot believe that they are alive.

A similar story was told by Asavari, daughter of a Pune businessman. Asavari said that the terrorists targeted the men on the basis of their religion. Two Pune businessmen Santosh Jagdale and Kaustubh Ganbote were killed in the attack. Asavari said that her father and uncle were shot at 'Mini Switzerland' in Betaab Valley. Asawari claimed, "They asked my father to recite a verse of Islam (possibly Kalma). When he could not recite, they fired three bullets at my father. They shot my father in the head, behind the ear and in the back." This attack has once again raised serious questions about the security system and the safety of tourists in the valley. Officials are investigating the incident and the search for the terrorists is on.