Last rites performed for father and son from Bhavnagar who died in the Pahalgam terror attack, Gujarat CM pays tribute
Seven of our family members went to Srinagar but only five returned, says 38-year-old Bharatbhai Parmar, watching the pyres of his cousin Yatishbhai Sudhirbhai Parmar (45) and nephew Smit Yatishbhai Parmar (17) from the cremation ground in Bhavnagar Thursday morning.
Yatishbhai Sudhirbhai Parmar's family left for Srinagar on April 19 to attend a Ram Katha by spiritual leader Morari Bapu. The family was set to return to Gujarat in a day or two, but the Pahalgam terror attack on Tuesday brought their trip to Jammu and Kashmir to a tragic end.
The family lives in the Nandanvan Society in Kaliyabid area of Bhavnagar city.
Yatishbhai's wife Kajalben, along with her parents and other family members, returned Wednesday night to Ahmedabad by air from Srinagar and reached Bhavnagar by road. The family members said that the administration assured them to make all arrangements for the mortal remains and family members to reach home in Bhavnagar.
'It is an irreparable loss to the family. What was a good family time together turned into a nightmare,' Bharatbhai told The Indian Express.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel paid tribute to the late father and son at their residence. When their bodies were brought to Bhavnagar late at night, CM Patel went to their home and expressed condolences to the bereaved family.
The bodies of the father and son killed in the terrorist attack were brought from Srinagar to Mumbai and from Mumbai to Ahmedabad. From Ahmedabad, both the bodies were brought to Bhavnagar by road at midnight.
While Yatishbhai owned a salon and restaurant, his son Smit was a Class 11 student. The Parmars – Yatishbhai, his wife and son – hail from Palitana and have been staying in Bhavnagar for 20 years.
'They went to Pahalgam on Tuesday on an excursion for some good photo memories. The elder son, who works in a laboratory in Bhavnagar, did not accompany them due to his job. Yatishbhai's wife is on her way to Gujarat. The entire family is in shock at the moment and waiting for everyone to be back home safe,' Bharatbhai, Yatishbhai's cousin, told The Indian Express.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Union Minister of State Nimuben Bambhania, Cabinet Minister Kunvarji Bavaliya, Mayor Bharatbhai Barad, MLAs Jitu Vaghani, Sejalben Pandya, Bhikhabhai Baraiya, and Gautambhai Chauhan, along with district administrative officials.
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