Hundreds join pony driver’s last rites, co-workers recall his attempt to stop one of the attackers in Pahalgam

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah with the father of Adil Hussain Shah, a pony driver who was killed in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, in Anantnag district, J&K, on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Hundreds of local men and women on Wednesday (April 23, 2025) joined the last rites of Syed Adil Hussain Shah, 28, from Anantnag’s Hapatnar, and was remembered for his heroic attempt to ward off the attack on tourists at Pahalgam’s Baisaran, where 26 people lost their lives in wanton attack by a group of terrorists.

A two-storey brick-and-mud modest house of the deceased was swarmed by mourners all day. One of the relatives of Shah said he was killed while defending others. “My nephew laid down his life in a bid to save others,” Shah’s uncle said.

Mourners condemned the attack on tourists in peaceful Pahalgam, which last saw a terror attack on pilgrims in 2000.

Shah worked as a pony driver and earned his livelihood from ferrying tourists for around five kilometres from Pahalgam base to Baisaran meadow, also known as ‘Mini Switzerland’. “He was a labourer by profession. He left early Tuesday morning to ferry tourists and took a tiffin box along. We never thought his body would return in the evening,” Shah’s mother said.

According to local pony drivers, one of the attackers came close to the victim, as Shah “made a bid to stop him from firing at tourists”. “Shah was fired upon after he made a bid to stop them from opening fire,” the pony drivers said.

The victim’s father Haider Shah said his son was the main breadwinner for the family. Shah is survived by his wife, two brothers and two sisters.

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, accompanied by local MLA Altaf Kaloo, also attended the funeral prayers of Shah. “Many suggested that the victim tried to stop them and take the gun away from a terrorist. And he was targeted. We will try to help the family. Our government stands with the family,” Mr. Abdullah said. “He (Shah) was killed while courageously fighting against them,” he added.

Shah is the only local resident who died in the Pahalgam terror attack.