A heartbreaking incident occurred on April 22 in the scenic region of Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where a deadly terrorist attack claimed the life of a young man from Jaipur.
Who Was Neeraj Udhwani?
Neeraj Udhwani, 33, was a resident of Forest View Residency in Model Town, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur. He was on a holiday in Kashmir with his wife when tragedy struck. Neeraj had recently traveled from the UAE, where he worked, to India for a vacation. Before visiting Kashmir, he had also attended a wedding in Shimla.
What Happened in the Attack?
Neeraj and his wife were visiting Baisaran Valley, a popular tourist destination in Pahalgam, when armed terrorists suddenly opened fire on tourists. Neeraj was caught in the attack and lost his life on the spot. His wife, who had stayed back at the hotel, was not harmed. She later informed the family about the shocking incident.
His body is expected to reach Jaipur by late Tuesday night.
Family in Shock
Neeraj’s family is devastated by the loss. His mother, Jyoti Udhwani, is surrounded by relatives and neighbors who are trying to comfort her. Neeraj’s father, Pradeep Udhwani, had passed away 10 years ago. His uncle, Dinesh Udhwani, said the entire family is in deep shock. Neeraj’s elder brother, Kishore Udhwani, an Income Tax Inspector, had just arrived in Jaipur with his wife four days before the incident.
Neeraj and his wife had been married for two years. Their wedding was held at Bhanwar Singh Palace in Pushkar.
Scale of the Attack
This attack has been one of the deadliest in recent years. A total of 26 people were killed and more than 17 were injured. Victims included tourists from various Indian states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha. People from Nepal and the UAE were also among those affected. Additionally, two local residents from Kashmir also lost their lives.
A Look at Recent Attacks on Tourists
Unfortunately, this is not the first time that tourists from Jaipur have been targeted in Jammu and Kashmir:
- On June 10, 2024, four people from Jaipur, including a child, were killed in another terrorist attack.
- On May 18, 2024, a Jaipur-based couple — Farah Khan (35) and Tabrez Khan (38) — were shot at a resort in Yaner area, Pahalgam.
A Reminder of the Pulwama Attack
This recent attack is being compared to the Pulwama terror attack on February 14, 2019, which resulted in the death of 40 CRPF soldiers. That attack was carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan-based terrorist group.
Conclusion
The attack in Pahalgam has left families across India grieving, especially in Jaipur where Neeraj Udhwani’s loss is being deeply felt. Tourists continue to be targeted in the region, raising serious concerns about security in Jammu and Kashmir.
