Jahangeer Ganaie
Pahalgam, Apr 26: In the wake of the tragic terrorist attack on April 22 in Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam, where 26 tourists lost their lives and many were injured, Rayees Ahmad has emerged as a beacon of bravery and humanity. The president of the local Pony Walas Association, Rayees, a resident of Pahalgam, is being hailed for his courageous efforts to rescue tourists amidst chaos.
Rayees recounted the harrowing moments following the attack. He received a distressing message around 2:35 pm informing him of the incident and immediately rushed to the scene. “As I made my way to the location, I saw tourists, locals, and fellow pony walas running towards Pahalgam amid overwhelming panic and fear,” he said.
Recognising the urgency of the situation, Rayees quickly rallied his fellow pony walas, urging them to join him in helping tourists to safety. “Together, we took dozens of tourists with us, navigating the shortest paths to reach Pahalgam,” he recounted.
Upon reaching Baisaran, Rayees was confronted by a scene of devastation. “Lifeless bodies were scattered, and the cries of the injured filled the air. I witnessed a heart-wrenching sight as a few women pleaded for their husbands, but by the time we reached them, they had already succumbed,” he said.
Undeterred, Rayees and his companions began the challenging task of rescuing the injured, transporting them on horses and sometimes carrying them on their backs. “We worked tirelessly until every injured tourist was taken to the hospital, while the deceased were respectfully gathered in one place,” he said.
Rayees said it would take considerable time for the community of Pahalgam to heal from this profound tragedy. Many families remain devastated, having gone days without food since the incident. This sorrow extends beyond individual losses; it strikes at the very heart of humanity, he said.
“This is not just a murder of innocent people; it is an assault on the very soul of Kashmir and the spirit of humanity,” he added.
Rayees said the government must act swiftly to revive tourism in the region. “It is important to send a strong and clear message to the world that neither the tourists nor the local people have been cowed by these heinous acts, and that Kashmir remains resilient in the face of such terror,” he said.
