A day after a terrible attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people, including tourists, one survivor, Sangita Gunbote, shared her heartbreaking story. She recalled how she and others quickly took off their ‘tikli’ (bindi) and started saying “Allahu Akbar” to try to protect themselves. Sadly, her husband, Kaustubh Gunbote, and his close friend, Santosh Jagdale, were shot and killed by terrorists while enjoying their holiday in Jammu and Kashmir.
After the attack, Sangita, along with Jagdale’s wife and daughter, rode horses to the main market to get help. A local horse rider guided them, and a cab driver helped them contact the police. By then, the military had begun rescuing the injured.
In Pune, a large crowd gathered at the crematorium to say goodbye to Kaustubh and Santosh when their bodies arrived early in the morning. Many friends, family, and even strangers came to show their sadness and anger over the attack. Important political figures, like Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra minister Chandrakant Patil, visited to pay their respects and support the grieving families.
“What the terrorists did was terrible,” said mourners. “India must show the world that we won’t accept violence.” Another person at the funeral insisted those behind the attack should be caught and punished. This attack raises serious worries about safety for everyone in Kashmir.
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