Pahalgam terror attack: Faces of a tragedy that shook India
The victims of Tuesday's terror attack came from across the length and breadth of the country, and some had even travelled from overseas. Here are a few of their stories:
Niraj Udhwani (32)
A finance manager in Dubai, Niraj Udhwani (32), was a passionate backpacker who had long wanted to visit Kashmir.
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When a friend's wedding invitation arrived from Shimla, he jumped at the opportunity. He and his wife landed in India on April 16, attended the wedding and then headed to Kashmir. On April 21, his mother told him over phone to be careful. It was the last time they spoke.
Bitan Adhikari (40)
Bitan Adhikari (40), a Florida-based techie had come for his annual vacation in Kolkata on April 8 before heading to Kashmir. His widow Sohini recounts that they were asked their religion.
They did not respond, but Bitan was told to recite the kalma. When he said he was a Hindu, he was killed.
Kaustubh Gunbote and Santosh Jagdale
Pune residents Kaustubh Gunbote and Santosh Jagdale were childhood friends who grew up together. They went on a joint family trip for the first time to Kashmir. Both were shot in front of their family members.
Yatish Parmar, 47, and his 17-year-old son
Yatish Parmar, 47, and his 17-yr-old son Smit were part of a 20-member group who had gone to Kashmir on April 16.
Yatish had celebrated his birthday on April 18, just 4 days before his death.
30-year-old IAF Corporal Tage Hailyang
Son of a family from which 2 of 8 brothers were in defence forces, 30-year-old IAF Corporal Tage Hailyang of Lower Subansiri district in Arunachal Pradesh was set to get transferred to Dibrugarh in nearby Assam. He had gone holidaying with his wife to Pahalgam before leaving his present posting at Srinagar. Tage got married barely a year ago.
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Sushil Nathaniel
Sushil Nathaniel of Indore had travelled to Kashmir with his wife Jennifer, daughter Akansha and son Austin to celebrate Easter together. Instead, Sushil was killed on Tuesday, perhaps the only Christian to fall victim to the terror attack.
Manish Ranjan, 42
Manish Ranjan, 42, a section officer with IB posted in Hyderabad, planned to reunite with his parents and younger brothers at Jammu railway station on April 23. Together, they intended to visit Vaishno Devi.
Before that family reunion, Manish took a short detour with his wife and children to visit Kashmir. But fate had other plans.
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