Assam Professor Survives Pahalgam Terror Attack by Reciting Kalima-“I still can’t believe I’m alive”
Baisaran, which is inaccessible by vehicles and lacks security presence, was deliberately chosen as the site of the attack.
Assam Professor Survives Pahalgam Terror Attack by Reciting Kalima, “I still can’t believe I’m alive”
Among the many families caught in Tuesday’s terrorist attack was the family of Associate Professor Debasish Bhattacharyya from the Department of Bengali at Assam University. Like many other tourists, he and his family were enjoying their time in the valley at the Baisaran meadows when the attack occurred. The family is currently safe and sound in Srinagar and awaiting their return home.
He shared the terrifying experience with News18 Assam, News18 reported.
In its report, the Associate Professor is quoted as saying, “I was sleeping under a tree with my family when I suddenly heard murmurs around me—people reciting the Kalima,” Bhattacharyya said. “Instinctively, I too began to recite it. Moments later, one of the terrorists, dressed in camouflaged fatigues, walked towards us and shot the person lying next to me in the head.”
He further narrated that the attacker then turned to him and asked, “Kya kar rahe ho?” (What are you doing?), to which he instinctively began reciting the Kalima even louder.
“I don’t know what made me do it. For some reason, he turned away and walked off,” Bhattacharyya said.
The family then quietly escaped the area, “We climbed uphill, crossed a fence, and kept walking for nearly two hours, following hoof marks left by horses. Eventually, we came across a rider with a horse and managed to return to our hotel,” he added.
“I still can’t believe I’m alive,” he said.
A shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)—The Resistance Front—claimed responsibility for the attack, which killed 28 innocent people after reportedly identifying their religious identity. Among the deceased were two foreign nationals: one Nepali and one from the UAE. A local pony operator was also killed while bravely attempting to snatch a rifle from one of the terrorists in an effort to protect tourists. He was the sole breadwinner of his family. A large crowd, including the Chief Minister of the Union Territory, paid tribute to the departed soul in his village.
Baisaran, which is inaccessible by vehicles and lacks security presence, was deliberately chosen as the site of the attack to delay rescue efforts and maximize casualties, according to experts and reports.
A massive joint search operation is currently underway in the area by the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and other forces.
( For more news apart from, 'Assam Professor Survives Pahalgam Terror Attack by Reciting Kalima, “I still can’t believe I’m alive",’ Stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)