New Delhi– Bitan Adhikary, a 40-year-old tech professional from Florida, was among those killed in one of the deadliest terror attacks to strike Jammu and Kashmir in recent years. Adhikary, who was visiting India with his wife and young son, lost his life in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley when terrorists opened fire on a group of civilians, many of them tourists.
Bitan had arrived in Kolkata on April 8 with his wife, Sohini, and their three-year-old son to visit family before heading to Kashmir for a vacation. The family had planned to return home on Thursday, but their trip turned into a nightmare when the attack occurred. His wife and child survived the assault and are currently safe. Arrangements are being made to bring them back to Kolkata.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed deep sorrow over the incident and assured the family of government support. In a post on X, Banerjee wrote:
“My heart goes out to the families of the victims of the devastating terrorist attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir today. One of the victims, Sri Bitan Adhikary, is from West Bengal. I spoke with his wife on the phone. Though words can hardly console her in this hour of grief, I have assured her that my government is taking every step to bring his mortal remains back to Kolkata. My deepest condolences to all the families who have lost their loved ones in this inhuman act of terror.”
Bitan’s father, heartbroken by the tragedy, told Anandabazar Patrika, “He wanted to take all of us along on the trip, but I told him to go with my daughter-in-law. I spoke to him that afternoon. What happened after that…”
His brother recalled, “I spoke to my younger brother in the morning. He said that after returning from Kashmir, we’d plan a longer trip together. We didn’t know it would be our last conversation.”
The attack also claimed the lives of two foreign nationals and has sparked widespread condemnation across India and internationally.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was visiting Saudi Arabia at the time, cut his trip short and returned to India immediately. Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Srinagar last night and met with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to assess the situation.
Security forces are conducting intensive search operations in the region to track down those responsible for the attack. (Source: IANS)
