Tourist from Panvel killed, another injured in Pahalgam terror attack

Deceased Dilip Desale (Left) and Subodh Patil (Right)

A tragic terror attack in the Pahalgam area of Jammu and Kashmir claimed the life of a tourist from Panvel and left another critically injured. The deceased has been identified as 45-year-old Dilip Desale, while 42-year-old Subodh Patil, who sustained serious injuries, is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Srinagar.

Both victims were part of a 39-member tourist group organized by Panvel-based travel company Nisarg Paryatan Tours. The group included 34 tourists from Panvel, two from Uran, and three from Thane.

Local BJP MLA Prashant Thakur visited the bereaved family in New Panvel and extended his condolences. "We are deeply saddened by this incident. The government must ensure full support for the victim's family and extend all necessary help to the injured," he said, assuring medical and logistical assistance.

Meanwhile, Desale's family is grappling with logistical challenges amid grief. A relative expressed concern over the soaring cost of airfare as they try to travel to Kashmir and bring the body back. "We have booked tickets, but the return flights are showing extremely high fares," the relative said, requesting anonymity. The family remains in a state of shock, with little information about the condition of Desale's wife, Usha Desale.

Government sources have confirmed that Dilip Desale's body is being flown back to Mumbai on an Air India flight and is expected to arrive by this afternoon.

Fadnavis speaks to kin of Maharashtra victims of J-K terror attack, assures all help

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has spoken to the families of people from the state who were targeted by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and assured all help to them.

Also, the Maharashtra government has requested the Civil Aviation Ministry to arrange a special flight to bring back the bodies of five persons from the state killed in the terror attack, a release from Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's office said on Wednesday.

Fadnavis in a post on X on Tuesday night said he had spoken to the families of some tourists from Nagpur and Pune who were injured in the terror attack and assured them of all help.

Deputy CM Shinde had a telephonic conversation with Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, requesting to arrange for a special flight to bring back the deceased and facilitate the return of their relatives to Maharashtra.