Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday, April 23, attended the funeral of Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a pony rider who lost his life in Tuesday’s deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives and left several injured.
Abdullah condemned the “cowardly” act and met Hussain’s family in Hapatnar village, promising full government support. "He died trying to save the tourists… even tried to snatch a terrorist's gun," Abdullah said.
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Who Was Syed Adil Hussain Shah?
A resident of Pahalgam and the only local victim of the attack, Syed Adil Hussain Shah was known for his warmth as a pony rider, guiding tourists across the Baisaran meadow.
A devout Muslim and a devoted father, he worked tirelessly to provide for his family. In the widely shared photo of his funeral, his son can be seen kissing the forehead of his martyred father.
How Syed Saved Lives
When five to six terrorists disguised in camouflage and traditional attire stormed Baisaran with AK-47s, panic erupted in the area. According to reports, witnesses revealed that Syed did not run. Instead, he shielded the Hindu tourists he was accompanying, even attempting to disarm one of the attackers.
Unarmed, he confronted the gunmen and was brutally shot to death when while trying to snatch their rifle.
The Resistance Front, a proxy terror group of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack, which is now seen among the worst in Kashmir in recent years.
Several users on social media hailed Syed as a hero. “These are the Indian Muslims who put humanity ahead of religion,” wrote one user.
"The whole of India should salute people like him, but hateful chintu and hateful media will not show this so that the country moves towards prosperity, hateful media only cares about TRP," wrote another.
