Synopsis
Aarti, a mother of twin boys, recounts the traumatic moment her father Ramachandran was shot by a terrorist in Pahalgam, Kashmir. The tragic incident occurred amidst a bustling tourist atmosphere, leaving Aarti and her family devastated.Key Takeaways
- Aarti recalls her father's tragic death during a terrorist attack.
- The incident took place in Pahalgam, known for its scenic beauty.
- Aarti expresses gratitude to local helpers during her ordeal.
- Ramachandran was a BJP supporter and had previously contested elections.
- The family was on vacation from the Middle East.
Kochi, April 24 (NationPress) Aarti, a mother of twin boys, was overwhelmed with grief as she recounted the tragic moment her father, Ramachandran, aged 68, was shot dead by a terrorist in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on Tuesday afternoon.
In an emotional interview at her home on Thursday, Aarti shared the harrowing experience of her father's murder. His body is currently in a hospital mortuary, awaiting the final rites scheduled for Friday.
“We had just arrived in Pahalgam, often referred to as ‘mini-Switzerland’, and the area was filled with tourists,” she recounted, adding, “All of a sudden, I heard what resembled firecrackers. I asked my father if it might be a terrorist attack.”
What transpired next was a scene from a nightmare.
“A gunman appeared and started shooting. I instructed my father and my sons to lie down in a nearby bushy, fenced area. The assailant approached us and spoke something unintelligible. I inquired about his words, and then he shot my father. I realized he was gone,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion.
Aarti mentioned that the assailant, who was not in military attire, pressed his gun against her head. Her terrified children began to cry. “Perhaps hearing their screams, the gunman eventually walked away.”
Holding onto her father’s lifeless body, Aarti managed to make her way down the hill with her children. “After approximately 45 minutes, I regained mobile signal and called my driver,” she explained.
“We arrived at the Hilton hotel, where the staff generously provided us with a complimentary room and full support. I turned off the TV to prevent my mother, who was staying at the hotel, from learning about my father's death.”
Aarti expressed profound gratitude to the local people and authorities who assisted her through this traumatic experience. “I want to extend my special thanks to our driver, Muzafir, and his brother. They treated me like family. At Srinagar airport, I told them I now have two Kashmiri brothers.”
Aarti, who resides in the Middle East, had taken a brief vacation to Kashmir when this tragedy occurred.
Ramachandran’s body was brought back to Kochi on Wednesday night, where it was received by a Minister, local legislators, and numerous residents before being taken to a hospital mortuary.
A former non-resident Indian who returned from the Middle East five years ago, Ramachandran was a dedicated supporter of the BJP. He had previously run for local body elections and was among the candidates considered for the upcoming civic elections later this year.
