The Bhattacharya family from Silchar’s Barak Valley in Assam had a harrowing experience during the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22. The attack, which resulted in the tragic deaths of 28 tourists, including two foreigners, saw the family of three narrowly escape death.
Debashish Bhattacharya, a professor at the Department of Bengali at Assam University, Silchar, and Dr. Madhumita Das Bhattacharya, were part of a tourist trip to Pahalgam when the attack unfolded. Initially mistaking the sound of gunfire for hunters, they soon realized the severity of the situation and sought refuge behind trees and bushes.
The family was confronted by armed assailants at gunpoint, who demanded that they recite the Kalima, an Islamic declaration of faith. Thanks to their knowledge of the Kalima, acquired from living in a Muslim-majority neighborhood, they managed to survive the ordeal. They also mentioned being asked about chanting the name of Lord Ram.
Tragically, the family witnessed another tourist being killed on the spot for failing to recite the Kalima. After the confrontation, they crawled down the valley and eventually found a vehicle to flee to Srinagar for safety.
While a group called “Kashmir Resistance” has claimed responsibility for the attack, the authenticity of the claim remains uncertain. The family is currently safe at a hotel in Srinagar, with the Assam Police and Cachar Police working to ensure their safe return to Silchar.
The incident has shaken the region, with authorities on high alert to ensure the safe passage of survivors. The Assam Chief Minister’s Office is coordinating the return of the family to the state, working closely with the central government for their safe return.
The bravery and faith of the Bhattacharya family in the face of such a traumatic event serve as a reminder of the resilience and spirit of survival in the midst of tragedy.
