Pahalgam tour turns tragic: Kerala man shot dead in front of daughter

One of the militants took aim at her, but spared her life. But Arathi is in no better situation though the terrorist did not pull the trigger but instead shot dead her father N Ramachandran, a former security service official who had lived in Dubai and Qatar for many years.

Ramachandran, who was travelling with his wife, Sheila, their daughter Arathi, and their six-year-old twin grandchildren, was among the 26 tourists shot dead by terrorists in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on Wednesday.

According to witnesses, the six-year-old twin grandchildren who witnessed the attack and were left crying in terror, hiding in a cupboard.

Ramachandran was in Kashmir after visiting his son and relatives in Hyderabad.

Also Read: Pahalgam attack: 'Nothing to do with it', Pakistan claims; Delhi skeptical

Wife still unaware of tragedy

In a strange twist of fate, his wife Sheila, a heart patient, was sitting in the car when the bloodbath took place and till now is totally unaware of the tragedy. It was only after the family had moved to a nearby hotel for safety that they learned of the tragic incident. But they were yet to tell Sheila about it. The family is now in the process of coping with the shock, as they wait for the necessary arrangements to return home.

Vijayakumar, a former councillor of Kochi Corporation and a neighbour of Ramachandran, said that it was a family trip, not a group trip. “They first went to Hyderabad to visit their son and then to Srinagar. From the information we’ve gathered, he was asked for his name and shot in front of his daughter and grandkids. We are yet to make contact with the family there, but got this information from the local police station,” he added.

Also Read: Pahalgam attack: Terrorists wore body cams, wanted maximum casualities

Long years in public service

Ramachandran had worked for several years in the security services sector in Dubai and Qatar, before returning to his native Kerala. He was associated with the activities of RSS before leaving for the Gulf in mid-90s. He had also contested the district council election as a BJP candidate in 1990, a role that made him well-known in his community. His wife, Sheila, was a teacher at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kochi.

Honeymoon turns tragic

For Lieutenant Vinay Narwal from Haryana, posted at the Naval Base in Kochi, the prospect of a happy married life was nipped in the bud. Vinay had recently got married and was in Kashmir on his honeymoon. The couple had originally planned a trip to Europe, but visa issues forced them to change plans. Tragically, Vinay lost his life in the attack, while his wife Himanshi, a PhD scholar from Gurgaon, was spared.

Also Read: Kashmir dailies go black to protest Pahalgam terror attack

258 Malayalees are still stranded

According to NORKA Roots, a government body that assists non-resident Keralites, 258 Malayalees are still stranded in Kashmir, including four Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and three High Court judges. In total, 262 individuals, part of 28 groups, have registered on the NORKA portal after the attack. While some have managed to return home, four individuals have already taken their flights back to Kerala.

“We were in Srinagar when the news broke, and soon after, we received confirmation from the officials. The state government is doing everything it can to support the family caught in the ambush, which tragically claimed one life. We are currently staying at the State MLA Hostel in Srinagar,” MLA M. Mukesh told Malayalam channels over the phone. The MLAs were in Kashmir on an official visit.

Also Read: 'Go, tell Modi’: Woman gets chilling message after husband killed in Pahalgam

Many Keralites affected

The attack in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Kashmir, has left many tourists in a state of fear and uncertainty. The region, which has long been a hotspot for political tension and violence, has seen a significant rise in attacks on civilians in recent months. This particular attack, however, has hit home for many Keralites, who have close ties to the state and often visit Kashmir for its scenic beauty and tranquillity.

“Our three groups were in the same region when the incident took place, and we were extremely tense. But later, we received confirmation that everyone was safe and had returned to their hotel in Srinagar,” said Geethu Mohandas, who runs the tour company Let’s Go Camping, told the media.

“Personally, I don’t prefer Pahalgam—especially that particular meadow—because it’s not easily accessible, and riding ponies isn’t appealing to me. But when tourists insist, we do arrange trips there. Usually, the locals are very hospitable and often say that terrorists won’t target tourists. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case yesterday.”