School named after Pahalgam hero Adil Hussain Shah to commemorate his courage
Story by ATV | Posted by Aasha Khosa | Date 22-05-2026
Adil Hussain Shah and the signboard of the school named after him
New Delhi
A year after the horrific terror attack at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 Indians, ponywallah Adil Hussain Shah is no longer just a name in official records. In recognition of his courage and sacrifice, the Jammu and Kashmir government has renamed a government school in south Kashmir after him.
The institution, formerly known as Hapatnar High School, has now been officially rechristened as Shaheed Aadil Memorial High School. The renaming ceremony was held in Anantnag district in the presence of Education Minister Sakeena Itoo.
Adil Hussain Shah was killed on April 22, 2025, when terrorists belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammad opened fire on tourists at the scenic Baisaran meadow, an attack that shocked the nation. According to eyewitness accounts, the terrorists were asking tourists about their religion and targeting non-Muslims.
Adil, who had escorted visitors to the valley along with other ponywallahs, tried to intervene. He reportedly pleaded with the terrorists not to harm the tourists, reminding them that the visitors were guests of Kashmiris. Instead of relenting, one of the terrorists shot him dead.
His act of standing up for humanity in the face of grave danger earned widespread admiration across the country. Many hailed him as a symbol of Kashmir’s spirit of hospitality and communal harmony.
#WATCH | Anantnag, J&K: On Anantnag school renamed after Syed Adil Hussain Shah, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack while trying to save the tourists, J&K Minister Sakina Itoo says, "The shock for the parents is unbearable, there is no substitute for it, you may give… pic.twitter.com/84PKmC37DE
Addressing the gathering at the renaming ceremony, Minister Sakeena Itoo said Adil’s courage and sacrifice would always be remembered. She described his decision to risk his own life in an attempt to save innocent tourists as an extraordinary example of bravery and humanity.
Recalling her visit to the attack site on the same night, the minister said the tragedy had left a deep impact on everyone. She added that the decision to rename the school was aimed at honouring Adil’s martyrdom and ensuring that future generations remember his sacrifice.
“The shock for the parents is unbearable; there is no substitute for it. You may give them jobs or rename a school, but no one can fill the grief they are going through,” Sakeena Itoo said. “When the Chief Minister visited the family, he had assured them that the nearby school would be named after Adil. He made a supreme sacrifice to save people.”
She further said the move was not merely symbolic, but intended to inspire students with the values of courage, service, and humanity. According to her, associating Adil’s name with an educational institution would ensure that his legacy continues to inspire generations to come.
Sakeena Itoo herself is a victim of terrorism. Her father, a legislator, was killed by militants in the 1990s, forcing her to leave her medical studies and return home to carry forward his political legacy.
Adil Shah’s bravery had earlier prompted the Maharashtra government to rebuild a house for his family. The newly constructed home, equipped with modern facilities, was inaugurated recently on the anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack.
Though the order of renaming institutions like schools and colleges, etc in the name of martyrs who had sacrificed their lives fighting terrorists was first issued during the governor’s rule following the abrogation of Article, this is the first such order of the elected government of Omar Abdullah.
