Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir: For Bengaluru-based couple Pradeep Hegde and Shubha, their family trip to Pahalgam’s idyllic valleys on April 21 began like any other holiday. By April 22, it became a nightmare they barely escaped—thanks to a split-second decision, a missed bullet, and an unnamed horseman who became their guardian angel.
Timeline of Terror: How 90 Seconds Changed Everything
1:45 PM, Baisaran Valley:
The Hegdes and their 12-year-old son Siddharth had just ordered Maggi at a food stall after horseback riding through pine forests. Shubha briefly left to use a restroom 500 meters away.
1:47 PM:
As Shubha returned, Pradeep heard what he thought were “firecrackers to scare animals.” The stall owner agreed. They were wrong.
1:48 PM:
Two armed militants emerged 50 meters away. “I saw their rifles and screamed, ‘Get down!’” recalls Pradeep. The family dove under tables as bullets ricocheted around them.
The Miracle Moment:
Shubha, unaware of the danger, stood up to retrieve her bag. A bullet whizzed past her right ear, embedding itself in the ground. “I didn’t tell Pradeep immediately, I didn’t want to panic Siddharth,” she says quietly.
The Unsung Hero: A Horseman’s Courage
Amid the chaos, a local horseman raced to their aid:
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Dragged abandoned horses to the terrified family
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Carried Siddharth when the boy froze in fear
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Guided them through hidden trails to safety
“He refused payment and vanished,” says Pradeep. “We don’t even know his name.”
Travel Advisory: Safety Tips from Survivors
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Avoid Isolated Stalls: “Stick to crowded areas after noon,” warns Shubha
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Trust Locals: “They know the land better than apps,” says Pradeep
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Emergency Drills: Practice dive-and-cover with kids
