Pony Ride Operator Syed Adil Hussain Shah Among Victims of Pahalgam Terror Attack

 Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir – April 23, 2025 — Among the 26 individuals killed in the brutal terrorist attack in Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam, was 28-year-old Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a local pony ride operator who lost his life while heroically attempting to confront the assailants and protect others.

According to preliminary reports, Adil, a resident of the region and a familiar face among tourists, intervened during the assault in an effort to shield a woman from the gunfire. Eyewitnesses say he attempted to disarm one of the gunmen by trying to seize the assailant’s rifle—a courageous act that cost him his life.

Adil is believed to be the only member of the Muslim community killed in the targeted attack, which saw heavily armed militants separating male tourists from their families before asking them to recite the Kalma, a declaration of Islamic faith, to ascertain their religious identity.

“He went to Pahalgam that morning as usual, to earn a living,” his father told ANI. “We heard about the shooting around 3 p.m. and tried calling him. His phone was off. Later, it rang, but no one answered. We rushed to the police station and were told he had been injured. He didn’t survive.”

Adil’s mother, overcome with grief, recalled his role as the sole breadwinner of the family. “He worked hard every day to support us. We don’t know what we will do without him.”

Adil’s death has underscored the indiscriminate brutality of the assault, which not only targeted out-of-state tourists but also took the life of a local man who stood against terror. His bravery has been widely acknowledged on social media and among community members, who are calling for posthumous recognition.

As investigations into the attack continue, authorities have vowed swift justice for the victims and their families. The assault, claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), an affiliate of Lashkar-e-Taiba, has triggered an intensified security crackdown across the region.

Adil Hussain Shah’s courage in the face of terror is now being remembered as a symbol of resistance and humanity amid one of the darkest days in recent memory for the Kashmir Valley.