Singaporean Woman, Who Narrowly Escaped Phalagam Attack, Sends Message To PM Modi

News18

28-05-2025

Last Updated:
Vaishali Bhatt and her husband had left the Pahalgam's Baisaran meadows, just an hour and a half before the terrorists gunned down the tourists on April 22.
An Indian origin Singaporean woman narrowly escaped horrific terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam last month.
The woman, Vaishali Bhatt and her husband had left the Pahalgam's Baisaran meadows, just an hour and a half before the terrorists gunned down the tourists on April 22.
Deeply affected by the tragedy, Bhatt initially felt frustrated by the perceived lack of immediate action against terrorism. However, her sentiments shifted dramatically upon hearing about 'Operation Sindoor" on the morning of May 7.
During a conversation with BJP MP Hemang Joshi, who was in Singapore as part of an all-party delegation conveying India's firm stance against terrorists, Bhatt conveyed her gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, specifically acknowledging the operation's meaningful name, 'Sindoor."
Bhatt said that the 'Sindoor' name of the operation deeply resonated with her, symbolising protection, faith, and the sacred bond that Operation Sindoor meant for countless families who lost their relatives in the ghastly attack.
'I was in Pahalgam on (April) 22nd and had a narrow escape. I used to read the newspaper every morning, hoping that the government would act. And the lack of action (in the initial phase) left me frustrated. But on May 7, when I read about Operation Sindoor being carried out, I cried uncontrollably. It meant a lot to me. The 'Sindoor' name was apt. No one else could have done it," she said in a video message.
In one of the biggest attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, Lashkar-linked terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists in Pahalgam on Tuesday, April 22, killing at least 26 people, including foreign tourists, and injuring many others. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar offshoot, claimed responsibility for the attack, although it later backtracked after massive global outrage.
After the attack, the diplomatic ties between India and Pakistan were downgraded with New Delhi announcing several punitive measures, including suspension of Indus Water Treaty, cutting Islamabad Mission strength, closing its airspace for Pakistani airlines and expulsion of its military attaches.
Operation Sindoor
India launched 'precision strikes" under Operation Sindoor on nine terror targets in Pakistan and PoK following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. The strikes killed over 100 terrorists including 10 family members of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and four close aides.
Targets included Jaish's Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur, Sarjal camp in Tehra Kalan, Markaz Abbas in Kotli, and the Syedna Bilal camp in Muzaffarabad. Lashkar's strongholds — Markaz Taiba in Murdike, Markaz Ahle Hadith in Barnala, and Shwawai Nalla camp in Muzaffarabad — were also hit. Hizbul Mujahideen's facilities at Makaz Raheel Shahid in Kotli and Mehmoona Joya in Sialkot were among those targeted.
First Published:
May 28, 2025, 19:03 IST