Pahalgam attack anniversary: Memorial for Adil, 25 tourists mocks Pak's treachery

Story by ATV | Posted by Aasha Khosa | Date 22-04-2026

Glimpses of Pahalgam, Adil Hussain's family and their new home (Danish ASli)

Danish Ali/Pahalgam

A year after the horrific Pahalgam terrorist attack, a memorial with names of 25 tourists from different parts of the country and a local service provider, who were killed in cold blood in the Baisaran Valley, stands as a symbol of Pakistan's treachery against people of Kashmir and its jihadi agenda against India.

Till that time, at that spot group of tourists enoying themselves in the beautiful alpine resort would be seen there anytime of the day. Today an air of malancholy envelops the place. Nazir Ahmed, who works with horses and ponies, says that he can feel the pain of those killed and horror of the day even today.

He says that during this Ramzan, all the locals who were dependent on tourists for their livelihood and missed them prayed for the departed souls and particularly for the woman whose picture with the body of her dead husband went viral on social media. "I can never forget her' She is our sister."

Pahalgam has not been able to forget that horrific day of April 22, 2025. The sound of gunfire echoing through the Biasran Valley not only claimed 26 innocent lives but also plunged the entire region into grief and fear.

Gulnaz Akhtar (Top) amd Syed Haider Hussain Shah

After the three terrorists killed menfolk after knowing their religion (all Hindus and one Muslim, who ttrried to resist the terrorist) there was commotion and loud cries of women and children. Surviviours were running in all directions for their lives. Amid this, a young man, Syed Adil Hussain, tried to prevent the killed and laid down his life defending humnaity and his countrymen.

For locals of Hapathnar and villages around it, Adil is a hero. They believe his intervention dirupted the plan of terrorists as they could have killed more people. Adil was a pony guide. At the time of the terrorist attack, he showed extraordinary courage and tried to snatch the pistol of a terrorist as he was trying to kill the tourist. He sacrificed his life and his name is etched on the memorial in Pahalgam.

He stood up to the terrorists and said, "These are our guests, why are you shooting at them, what is their fault?" The terrorist killed him along with the guest.

Today, the road to Baiaran is deserted and blocked with concertina wires. Locals like Abdul Ghani and Nazir Ahmed say that after this attack, tourists stopped coming and their livelihoods were lost. Horsemen, drivers and others have all become unemployed and life has become difficult.

Adil has become a local hero and the people are proud of the bravery.They say that tourists were our livelihood and we were attached to them.

Workers giving final touches to the newly built house of Shaheed Adil Hussain

In Haptnar, the Awaz team met Gulnaz Akhtar, the wife of Shaheed Adil Hussain at her mother's place. She said that the year has been very difficult for her. Life without her husband seems meaningless. She says it is hard for her to accept that her husband who used to go to work every day, call her a number of times and return in the evening, is no more.

She says that without a partner life seems meaningless."Otherwise life goes on but there is no meaning and joy in it. Adil Sahib was brave. The way he showed bravery amid a rain of bullets, and at a place where people were running for their lives, he tried to save people. He sacrificed his life while saving tourists. I am proud of hi,. Very few people can set such an example."

Gulnaz's mother said that Adil had gone to work that day and later received news that there had been an attack there. Only by the evening they came to know about his martyredom. "Since then, we all are grieving his loss and Gulnaz is still in shock."

The martyr's father, Syed Haider Hussain Shah, said that he was proud of his son. He said that Adil not only saved people by sacrificing his life but also brought glory to the name of the entire Kashmir.

He remembers his last moments with his son. On that fateful day, his younger son Naushad whodrove a taxi for tuurists, was the first to leave for Pahalgam. Adil left only later at around 8 am.

Memorial for the Pahalgam martyrs:

#WATCH | J&K | In Pahalgam, a solemn memorial now stands as a tribute to the 26 lives lost in the tragic April 22, 2025, Baisaran terror attack pic.twitter.com/ECkc0Zr9yL
— ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2026

As the Awaz team viisted the family, workers were busy painting the new house, which is gifted by the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtha Eknath Shinde to the family.

Shah said the house was completed by theteam of Eknath Shinde.A local Shiv Sena worker said that when Shionde came to airlift the remaining tourists of his state after the Pahalgam attack, he told him about Adil's family.

Shinde announced a suppoort of Rs 5 lakh for the marter's family. But later when he saw the condition of the family, he formed a team of locals and promised to make a good house for Adil's family and also ensured rations and other fixtures for the family.

Shah said he was grateful to Maharashtra leader for his thoughtfulness. He said that the Shinde did it without consideration of a political gain and treated them like his own family.

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This story of Pahalgam is not just a tragedy but a timeless tale of bravery, sacrifice and humanity.

The people here are still trying to live with their wounds, but the belief remains in their hearts that the light of love, humanity and peace will one day overcome all darkness.