Pahalgam terror attack: ‘Our lives were destroyed in 30 minutes’

Kaustubh Ganbote’s wife, Sangeeta (extreme left), with friends and relatives at their home. Pics/Mandar Tannu

They forced us to remove our bindis and recite ‘Azaan' yet fired at us," recounted the widows, describing the horrifying incident in Pahalgam. Shocked and moved by their story, relatives, friends, political leaders, and citizens of Pune gathered in large numbers for the final rites. Among the 26 deceased in the Pahalgam carnage were two men from Pune - Kaustubh Ganbote and Santosh Jagdale.

A brutal terror attack in the Pahalgam region of Jammu and Kashmir claimed the lives of 26 innocent tourists, including six from Maharashtra. Among the deceased were two men from Pune - Kaustubh Ganbote and Santosh Jagdale. Their sudden and tragic deaths have sparked widespread grief and outrage, with survivors painting a chilling picture of the attack and demanding answers from the government.

Santosh Jagdale's wife Pragati clings to her husband's coffin

"There was no security at all," said Pragati Jagdale, the wife of Santosh Jagdale. "Our people were lying in pools of blood. The terrorists came armed and began firing indiscriminately. They didn't check who we were - they just shot straight in our heads, eyes, and chests," said Pragati. She recalled how the attackers - six or seven in number - wreaked havoc in less than thirty minutes. "They destroyed our lives in half an hour," she said with deep sorrow and rage.

Kaustubh Ganbote's, wife, Sangeeta Gantobe, shared similar horrors. "They asked if we could recite the Azaan. In desperation, we began chanting ‘Allahu Akbar'. Still, they gunned down our husbands. Even a Muslim horseman who tried to help was stripped and shot in cold blood." She described their desperate escape: barefoot, through knee-deep mud. "We were terrified. But our Muslim horsemen came back for us. They were good people," she added. "One of them even questioned the terrorists - why kill innocent people? He was shot as well."

The bodies of Ganbote and Jagdale arrived at Pune Airport around 4.30 am on Thursday, informed police. They were taken to their respective homes. Jagadale's casket was taken to his home located at Dnyandeep Colony, Karvenagar, while Ganbote's casket was taken to his home located at Sai Nagar, Kondhwa, where citizens and local leaders gathered to pay their last respects. NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Sharad Pawar visited the grieving families. "Blow off the terrorists' heads. Shoot them and show us their flesh," Pragati demanded emotionally.

Kaustubh Ganbote's body being brought home to Sai Nagar, Kondhva in Pune

Kaustubh Ganbote, a well-known entrepreneur from Kondhwa, had successfully run his snack business, ‘Ganbote Farsan', for 15 years. Neighbours remembered how proud he was when he recently installed a new signboard for the shop. He often told a friend, "Now I've become an ajoba (grandfather); all that's left is to see the world." At his residence in Sainagar during the final rites, his wife Sangeeta broke down in tears. Speaking to a family friend, she said, "You and they are both Muslims, then how can there be such a difference between you?"

Santosh Jagdale had promised his 86-year-old mother that he would bring her a special gift from Kashmir. Instead, she was left grieving over his dead body. Santosh and Kaustubh had been childhood friends. Both were cremated together at Vaikunth crematorium, surrounded by a large crowd of mourners. The attack has sparked outrage across Maharashtra. People are angry over the lack of security in such a sensitive area, especially during the tourist season. Social media has been flooded with criticism of the central government and defence authorities. Citizens and experts alike are demanding accountability and strong retaliatory measures.

A show of support

A torch march (Mashaal Andolan) was held on Wednesday night at Bhakti Shakti Chowk, Nigdi, organised by the Hindu Sakal Samaj. A large number of citizens gathered to denounce the cowardly terrorist attack and show solidarity with the victims' families.