Pahalgam terror attack: Dubai-based Indian expat among victims
Dubai: An Indian expatriate living and working in Dubai was among the 26 people killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam, south Kashmir, India, on Tuesday, a family friend confirmed to Gulf News.
The victim, Niraj Udhwani, a 33-year-old chartered accountant, was on holiday with his wife Aayushi when gunmen opened fire in the popular tourist zone, Indian media reports said.
Confirming this, the family friend in Dubai said the whole community is in shock. 'There were other friends also who travelled to India for the wedding. After the wedding, while most of their group returned, they (the couple) decided to spend a few days in Kashmir before flying back to Dubai. Everyone is so shocked and saddened after hearing this tragic news,' he added.
Grew up in Dubai
Originally from Jaipur, Niraj had been residing in Dubai since childhood and was reportedly working with a private school group in Dubai. Gulf News has reached out to the group and is awaiting their comments.
Indian newspapers quoted Niraj's uncles, who confirmed his death. 'He was supposed to return to Dubai from Kashmir this week after the vacation,' his uncle Prakash Udhwani told Hindustan Times.
Another uncle, Bhagwan Das Udhwani, told The Indian Express that Niraj and Aayushi had married in February 2023 and had no children.
Quoting Aayushi, Prakash said, she was in the hotel when the attack began and later discovered Niraj was among those killed. 'She heard some sounds of bullets and cries of people. She came out and realised some people had opened fire in the valley. When she was searching for her husband, the local police officials informed her at night that Niraj is dead,' said Prakash.
Strict action
Niraj's body is being repatriated to Jaipur via Delhi. The family has called for strict action against the perpetrators of the attack, reports said.
'Those terrorists should be punished. The government should not leave them. We only want action against them. That would be the only justice to Niraj,' Prakash said.
The brutal attack claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including tourists and a local pony handler. Several others were injured in the strike — one of the deadliest in recent years targeting civilians in the region.
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