‘Am alive because…’: Father of man who died saving Pahalgam tourists in Pahalgam attack

The peaceful scenery of Pahalgam was shaken on Tuesday as a horrific terror attack killed 26 individuals, including a pony handler from the area, Syed Adil Hussain Shah. In sorrow and destruction, Adil’s father, Syed Hyder Shah, has become a voice of grief, dignity, and great pride in his son’s last act of bravery.

Adil, the elder son and sole breadwinner of the family, lost his life in attempting to safeguard tourists from the attack. The grief is unacceptable to his father, yet it is the selfless act of courage from his son that helps him live with the broken heart.

Talking to ANI, Hyder Shah said, “I am proud of him and his shahadat (sacrifice). I am alive only because of that pride. Otherwise, I would have died the moment I saw his young, lifeless body.”

Adil‘s last day also started like any other. He went early in the morning to work, riding ponies for the tourists amidst the green pastures of Pahalgam. At about 3 pm, the family heard of a continued attack in the region. Desperate efforts to contact Adil were met with silence until his phone indicated a fleeting signal – only to drop again. Their worst fears were realized when they hurried to the police station and then the hospital. Adil was shot several times while allegedly attempting to protect tourists and even trying to disarm one of the attackers.

“We learned at about 6 pm that my son and cousin were admitted to a hospital. The people who went to look for him told me about the accident,” Hyder remembered. “Some people were rescued thanks to him, and I am proud of it.”