Tourists from Pune and other parts of Maharashtra shared with media how local Kashmiri families flung open their doors—not just to strangers, but to fellow human beings in need. They offered not only food and shelter but something far rarer in moments of terror: comfort, courage and compassion.
Shaken by the Pahalgam terror attack, tourists from Maharashtra—still reeling from the fear and uncertainty—found themselves surrounded not by hostility, but by extraordinary humanity. Roopali Thombare and others recorded heartfelt videos, sharing how Kashmiri locals stepped forward as guardians in a land engulfed by chaos.
Jyoti Joshi, one of the tourists, told local media how a young Kashmiri, Muhammad Ajan, took responsibility for nearly 70 tourists from across India—arranging food, shelter and comfort. “They told us, ‘You are our guests, and your safety is our responsibility,” she said, overwhelmed by their warmth. Locals stood by them until they reached the airport, ensuring every tourist returned home safely.
Many spoke of the stereotype-shattering compassion they witnessed. “The attack shook us to the core… we were stranded in an unfamiliar place. But the locals led us to safer areas, fed us and reassured us” said Pooja More-Jadhav who recalled how she and her husband felt genuinely protected. “Our driver told us he would stake his life to ensure our safety,” she said.
As the time came to leave, with gratitude in their hearts, the tourists bid farewell. But for Aadil—a young local who had given shelter to many—it was a painful goodbye. In a video captured by the tourists, his eyes welled up as he said, “Those who kill innocent vacationers are not humans—they are beasts. But now, we—the youth who live off tourism—will suffer. This was our lifeline. What remains now?”
Published on April 24, 2025