Pony handler killed in Pahalgam attack gets hero's farewell; Omar says he died snatching terrorist's gun

HAPAT NAR: The funeral of pony handler Syed Adil Hussain Shah , the lone Kashmiri Muslim killed in the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow , saw J&K CM Omar Abdullah joining thousands of locals Wednesday in saluting the victim for his reported attempt to save lives by attempting to snatch a terrorist’s rifle.

“He tried to stop the attack. We have heard that he was targeted after he tried to snatch the gun…We have to take care of this family. I have come here to assure them that the govt stands with them and will do whatever we can,” Omar said.

Based on interactions with the survivors, sources in the security establishment said it was “premature” to confirm the exact circumstances of 30-something Adil’s death. “We are familiar with the account that he was killed while trying to stop the terrorists. So far as our assessment is concerned, it’s still hazy,” an official source said.

In the courtyard of Adil’s modest village home in Hapat Nar, 20km before Pahalgam, hundreds gathered to console his father Syed Haider Hussain Shah, mother Bibi Jaan, and his sisters. The family said they were mourning not only Adil’s death, but also each of the slain tourists.

Haider said he didn’t know of the tragedy in Pahalgam until his younger son, Syed Nowshad Hussain, called him to ask whether Adil had gone to work. “Nowshad said Adil wasn’t responding to calls. It wasn’t until evening that we received news that my son was among the dead.”

Md Hussain, a cousin of Adil, said the young man had stepped out as usual on Tuesday, carrying with him home-cooked tiffin. “Who could have imagined he wouldn’t return? The wives of so many of our tourist brothers, some of them on honeymoon, are going back with their bodies. This is a blot on Kashmiriyat that we can’t erase,” he said.

Adil was a contractual pony handler who would offer rides to tourists visiting Baisaran and other popular spots in Pahalgam. His employer paid him Rs 300 a day.

A neighbour said Adil had been saving to get his two sisters married later this year. His aunt Khalida said she was surprised that her nephew’s name wasn’t mentioned by TV channels flashing every possible detail about the other victims. “Nobody named our boy, but everyone should know that we are mourning every life lost in the carnage,” she said.

(With inputs from New Delhi)