Pune’s tourists and other parts of Maharashtra shared with the media how local Kashmir families opened their doors, not only strangers, but other needy human beings. They sacrificed not only food and refuge, but something much more rare in moments of terror: comfort, courage and compassion.
Shaking for Pahalgam’s terrorist attack, Maharashtra tourists, who still recover from fear and uncertainty, were found surrounded not by hostility, but by extraordinary humanity. Roopali Thombaar and others recorded sincere videos, sharing how Cashmiro’s locals took a step forward as guardians in a land wrapped by chaos.
Jyoti Joshi, one of the tourists, told local media how a young Kashmir, Muhammad Ajan, tok responsible for almost 70 tourists from all over India, organizing food, refuge and comfort. “They told us:” You are our guests, and your security is our answer, “he said, covered by his warmth. The locals were next to them until they arrived at the airport, ensuring that all tourists returned home safely.
Many talked about the compassion of stereotype they witnessed. “The attack shook us to the nucleus … we were stranded in an unknown place. But the locals led us to safer areas, fed us and rushed us,” said Pooja More-Jadhav, who recalled how she and her husband felt genuinely protected. “Our driver told us that he would bet his life to guarantee our security,” he said.
As the time came to leave, with gratitude in their hearts, tourists said goodbye. But for Aadil, a young local who had given refuge to many, was a painful goodbye. In a video captured by tourists, his eyes were driving well as he said: “Those who kill innocent vacationers are not human, they are beasts. But now, we, young people who live from tourism, this was soaking.
Posted on April 24, 2025